Tyme For Everything

Bad Bad Mommy

2010-03-31T09:20:00.003-04:00

Ok, so here it is,
I am a bad Mommy.

It is now the 31st of March and the only pictures I have taken ALL month are the ones I took of the purse I made to post here.

I know, you are all shaking your heads. I am too.

I had better pull up these big girl pants and do much better in April!! At least the weather will be nicer and the trees should start getting some green buds, if not whole leaves.

I think March is just so dreary and grey that I have no gumption to take pictures. I just want to crawl into bed and read all day long.

One thing that has me VERY happy though is the weekend forcast. By Saturday we are supposed to be up to 22 C with only cloudy periods. AND we just might get out first outdoor egg hunt this year. Sunday is a little cooler at 14 C but it is still calling for SUN with cloudy periods.
I just hope that bunny remembers to put the chocolate INSIDE or the critters are going be running sround on sugar highs. I picture the squirrel from Over the hedge after having caffine,
lol.

Kevin and I are hoping to take the boys to see How to train your Dragon over the Easter weekend. We have been waiting for this one for quite a while. The first time the boys saw the trailer was when we took them to see A Christmas Carol. They are excited to see it but wewill leave it as a surpise!

Sewing again!

2010-03-11T14:27:00.002-05:00

With all the hard work my sewing Machine did before Christmas, it decided to go on strike. I guess 12 pairs of flannel PJ's in a month was just too tiring. After a couple weeks away at Gertie's Sewing Machine Repair Service getting oiled and pampered was all it needed. I now have it back we are hanging out at the dining room table together,lol.
I just finished making my own purse. Thisis the firt timeI have attempted anythinglike this and I am happy with how it turned out. I used Ashley's instuctions for her Portable DVD player tote at Make it and Love I just made it a litte larger to suit my needs.

One of the reasonsI liked this tote was the sections inside.I have been reading alot, and I mean a LOT lately and my book goes everywhere wtih me. Having the divider inside is perfect because I have one side for my book(keeps it from getting marked or bent) and the other side for everything else.
I added a little loop inside with a small hiking clip to attach my key to. This will save me having to dig at the bottom of the bag to try and find them.

I liked the pocket on the back that Ashley used for the cables so I added it to my bag. I use this pocket for my phone I-touch. My earphones will fit in there as well but it is a little snug.

It has a top cover like a message bag so that things are not openfor al to see. I am still contemplating added a button or fastener of some sort to it.

I made a nice wide strap in hopes that it will stay onmy shoulder better. I generaly hate carrying a purse because the straps never stay onmy shoulders and I end up carrying inmy hand which is a royal pain.

All in all I am happy with my first attempt and I am checking out ideas for a second one.

I have to say thank you to Ashley(even though she will never see this) for her Make it and Love it blog!! She has amazing ideas on it and simple, easy to follow instruction with LOTs of pictures.

What a week,PHEW!!

2010-03-06T11:36:00.002-05:00

We have been running around like chickens with our heads cut off, lol.

Monday the boys had eye doctors appointment. Both did well, no worries.
Tuesday I had a family lunch with my Mom,My Aunts and another cousin. Very fun, and lunch was delicious. After lunch Mom and I took my Aunt Nellie to Fabricland so she could checkout the closing sales. I came home with some fabric to make myself a new bag/purse.
Wednesday I finally had a chance to clean up a bit and Owen had tutoring after school.
Thursday Kevin and I went into town while the boys were in school to do groceries. He also got his hair cut and I got some fabric. then home to get the boys because had dentist appointments. Gavin did great, no cavities. Owen on the other hand....
Friday, Owen BACK to the dentist to get 3 cavities filled. All were apparently very small, one in a molar that is take FOREVER to pop up. Dr Sun said that wasn't completely Owen's fault. the food was getting trapped under his gums which is what caused that cavity. While fixing that tooth he cut Owen's Gums so that his tooth can come up a little easier and stop the problem with food getting trapped. The other 2 cavities are in baby teeth but we took care of them anyways. I think they were getting sick of seeing us because Kevin had been in there inthe morning to get his root cannel finishsed off.

Which brings us to today Saturday, a day of relaxing and doing whatever comes along that sounds good. Started of reading in bed. I then finished off some sewing I was doing for a friend. And now I am sitting drinking my nice warm tea and catching up here. At some point we will be heading over to my parents for a visit. The boys are going to read to Gammie and Kevin is going to have a game of Wii golf with Dad. Just winging today.

I am hoping to start a new sewing project and possibly finish off my latest book, The Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz. Will have to see which wins out.

Making Mom Proud!!

2010-02-24T21:24:00.003-05:00

That is what my boys have been doing today. It started with Owen getting a character award at school today for Fairness.

Owen was then retested at school for his reading level. In the past month he has gone from a level 4 or 5 to a level 12!! He has been working so hard with Mrs C. I can't thank her enough. Both the boys just adore her.

Then while at tutoring today, Mrs C and I took turns reading with both boys. We do this once in a while so I can see what she is doing and so that Owen will read to me. He won't at home. Gavin is about a level 11 which is where he is supposed to be, so we are not worried about him being behind like Owen, though Owen won't be behind much longer if he keeps working THIS hard.

So as you can see I have many reasons to be a Proud Momma today.

Olympic Pride

2010-02-20T20:27:00.005-05:00

Well, it has now been a whole week since we watched the opening performance of the Olympic Games. The only time our TV has not been been on the CTV Olympic watch is when there was no one home. Even the boys have been watching it, though sometimes not of their choice. They have shown a great amount of pride in our wonderful country and out amazing Canadian athletes. Cheering and yelling at the TV to encourage our athletes as been done more then a few times,lol. It is a good thing we live in the country and not in an apartment in town.
One of the of the events we have watched regularly over the past few days is the speed skating. The boys are just amazed with this sport. This is what I saw this afternoon in my dining room. I took Gavin outside to get a couple pictures while we still had some sunshine.

Needed so ice to take the top picture but it was getting to late, maybe tomorrow.

If there is one thing I have noticed in these pictures, it's that Gavin is no longer my baby boy.

Day On The Road

2010-02-16T21:56:00.007-05:00

I was out on tour today with my friend Tamara. We took a drive up to Minden and around to Peterborugh then home in time to pick the boys up at the bus stop. We take these trips every once in a while with the intention of taking pictures. The first time we had a photo tour we took many many pictures. Ever since then we get talking and don't remember to watch for photo ops. today wasn't much different. However, we did stop at a Cemetery that had a lot of beauty to it. this is my favorite picture from today. We plan on going back in the spring to take some more photos when the ground isn't covered in snow and ice.

2010-02-09T08:18:00.003-05:00

Here is a LO I finished yesterday for a challenge that I posted on Scrap central. The february theme is to use up your stash (to make room for all the fun CHA stuff that is about to ne released) My challenge is to use Paint, buttons and ribbon. I was going to add a digital element to the list but not everyone digi/hybrid scraps and that isn't going to make roomfor anythingnew so I left it off the list.

This picture was taken on December16th when the Olympic torch was carried through Lindsay. Our school went to support one of the torch carriers, Jack Prinns (not in this picture).Jack has huge ties to our school,not only did he attend the school, but BOTH his parents are teacher there. I think I am safe in saying that we all felt our heart swell with pride to watch him carry the torch up onto the stage and light the caldron.

After the ceremonies on stage took place the relay runners were walking around getting pictures taken with fans. This is us, (unfortunately I do not know this wonderful mans namebut I am trying to find it) of course Gavin being his shy self wouldn't look at the camera for the picture. Thank you Heide for taking it.

It is now a couple months later and the boys are still talking about this day. Hopefully if we keep them talking, they will remember this feeling for the rest of thier lives. This wonderful, over powering, all incompassing feeling of PRIDE. TRUE CANADIAN PRIDE!

Fun In The Winter Sun

2010-02-08T22:16:00.004-05:00

On Saturday we met up with friends and went sledding. It was the first time the boys had been on a bigger hill all winter. We only had one mishap, Owen got a bloody nose. He bounced right off of his tube and did a nose dive into the snow,lol.

After Owen's bloody nose he got right back into the fun of the hill, though he did stay away from the little bit of a jump at the bottom, lesson learned.

Gavin had a blast. He laughed and giggle all afternoon.

One of the things that impressed me most on Saturday was the way they took turns pushing each other down the hill. We will definately beingdoing this again.

Wow Time Flies

2010-01-23T14:15:00.007-05:00

Time just keeps fading away on me. I can't believe I haven't posted since November. Well we had a great Christmas here at home and went our friends for New Year's. Our holiday was fun and relaxed.

I have had a lot of fun this past month using my scrapbooking supplies again. I hadn't done much after the move in June and really have gotten the bug again.

Here are a few of the LOs I have done in the past couple weeks. I will start withthe digital LO I finished last night.

This is my first digital LO in MONTHS. I used supplies from a few different kits. digidesins resort - background PP, Digi Scrap Obsession - ribbon, beaded pin, gem flower, Little Dreamer Designs - mesh behind photo, Two Peas In a Bucket - title font, and "french Laundry" photo overlay Divine digital - green florals and glitter mist, and the 12x12 overlay is from the Wish kit by AJA Abney(sorry can't find kit again to get a lnk). I think I spend as much time looking through kits as I do actually creating the LO, lol.

Busy Busy Busy

2009-11-28T10:43:00.002-05:00

It isn't even December yet but boy have we been busy.
I have finished off my sewing projects for my Nieces nephews and boys. I was going to take a picture of them all together onced finished but that didn't happen. Kevin had wrapped about 75% of the gifts. We only have a few items left to buy then we are finished our shopping. I have almost completed the advent Calendar, I just have to paint and attatch the numbers to the drawers then I can take a picture or two to share here. I got all 24 books wrapped and ready to start reading on Dec 1st. We even started reading When Santa fell to Earth by Cornelia Funke. It is a chapter book so obviously NOT wrapped to read in one night,lol

Some of these are on my TO DO-TO MAKE lists so that has releived a bit of the stress.

Yesterday we went to the movies and watched A Christmas Carol in 3D. It was the boys first 3D movie and they were so cute. Owen wasn't sure what to think at first, I was a little scared it was going to make him sick but once he got used to it he was fine and enjoyed thte movie. Gavin was was cute because he was trying to catch the snowflakes, lol. I will definately be buying this movie when it comes out on DVD.

This morning we are playing it low key, Kevin worked the night shift last night, but this afternoon we are heading out for the Santa Clause Parade in a near by town. It will be our first night parade and we are all looking forward to it. It is a whoe day of fun with face painting, dog cart and pony rides, gingerbread decorating, free photos, a petting zoo, free hot chocolate and movies at the highschool. I think it should be a great day. It is cool out but not cold. we still have not had snow. I am not complaining, but I know once it does give us our nice white covered ground the whole Christmas Spirit will grow.

Now, I am off to see if I can trim a few evergreens to make a decoration for the driveway pillers and get the garland up on the lamp post.

To all my American friends, I hoe you have a fantastic Thanksgiving and maybe found a few good deals on your Black Friday shopping sprees.

Holidays In Hand Prompts Display

2009-11-22T23:16:00.002-05:00

Well, I did it. I was able to finish my display for my daily prompt that Jessica Sprague has given us for December. Nothing too special, not sure if I am going to the prompts in my album or not. My plan is to do the LOs in digital format but after finishing the display I am thinking of possible doing them hybrid. We will see what happens as time goes on.

Now to start reading the actual prompts and seeing if I can't get some of the journaling done to make putting the LOs together a little quicker, especially closer to Christmas Day.

Only Colds

2009-11-22T18:30:00.003-05:00

Well, after a week with the boys home from school sick we took the drive to the emerg. I don't like going there but wasn't sure we would be able to get into the Drs office tomorrow and I really didn't want the boys missing more school if they didn't have too. After a look in their throats and ears, their temperatures being taken the results are.........just a cold. Well, Owen has an ear infection too but it is NOT H1N1!!
So tomorrow they are heading back to school with notes repeating what t he Dr has said and hopefully they will be able to stay. If the are able to stay then I can CLEAN MY HOUSE!!!

Day 2 Assignment

2009-11-20T19:08:00.004-05:00

Our next assignment was to print out some daily promts, which I have done. And to make a couple lists. What we want to do and what we want to make over the holiday season. I have filled my lists out, mostly. It is obviously in no specific order and might change as the month goes on.

Christmas TO DO

1 Wrap 25 Christmas books to read every night at bedtime. When the books are all unwrapped it is Christmas!!
2 Have friends over for Dinner
3 Camp out one night under the Christmas tree
4 Go for an evening stroll in the falling snow.
5 go skating
6 Get a Christmas tree
7 Deliver cookies/fudge to neighbors
8 Mail Christmas cards
9 Decorate the tree
10 Read a Christmas story
11 Watch a Christmas movie, have popcorn and hot chocolate
12 Decorate the inside of the house
13 Finish decorating the outside of the house
14 Try a new recipe
15 Clear out corner to put tree in
16 Have friends over for a winter bonfire
17 take a trip to Lang Pioneer Village
18 wrap Christmas gifts
19 go tubing at the ski hill
20 have a night if watching Christmas specials
21 family Christmas with Kevin’s side
22 watch Jack Prins carry the Olympic torch through Lindsay
23 Have birthday party for Gavin
24 Go see “A Christmas Carol” as a family
25 take boys to Christmas work party
26
27
28
29 Take tree down
30 mail thank you cards
31 put decorations in shed.

TO MAKE
1 Make birdseed ornaments to hang outside
2 Go sledding
3 String cranberries and popcorn to hang on the tree.
4 Adopt a new tradition (wrapped)
5 Drive to Bowmanville to see the lights
6 Make cookies and fudge
7 Layouts to finish calendars
8 Make wreaths for the front door and 2 pillars
9 Make photo ornaments
10 Sew fabric gift bags
11 work on Christmas organizer
12 Make digital card to e-mail friends and family
13 write letters to Santa
14 Build a snow fort
15 Create my Holidays In Hand album
16 Make birdseed ornaments to hang outside
17 Build an ice rink (weather permitting)
18 Make thank-you cards
19 Make Rice Krsipie “gingerbread” House
20 finish sewing Christmas PJs
21 Make arrangements for beside the fireplace
22 Make Gavin a birthday cake
23 Make snowangels
24 Make stocking envelopes for Gift Cards
25 Make Jelly been trees for the boys school party treats
26
27
28
29
30
31

Assignment 1 Values and goals

2009-11-19T16:44:00.003-05:00

Here are the Values I am going to focus on and the goals I have to keep with them this Holiday season.

Giving: Every year we donate to at least 2 families through the boy's school. Each class sponsors 1 or 2 family from within the community that are struggling. I think this year there will be a few more families then in the past that could use some help. We donate toys, personal and food items.
We also give each of the boys money to buy a new toy to add to the town toy drive. I feel it is very important to teach my boys that we are very lucky to have what we do and that there are families out there who are struggling to make ends meet and that we can help anonymously so that the parents can focus on food and the health of their families and get a little help with the material things.

Family: Getting together with family is always important but Christmas is usually the only time that we can get the whole family together in one place. I must say that I am VERY proud of Kevin's parents. They separated a few years ago but have maintained a friendship. And every year we still ALL get together to celebrate Christmas as a family. We are also lucky because we celebrate with Kevin's family early. they understand there their children are grown with families of their own and in laws to celebrate with too.
Me being an only child and only living a 5 minute walk from my parents, am very lucky and get to spend a lot of time with them. We get to spend Christmas day with my family. In the morning they come and watch the boys open their gifts then we go to their place for dinner.

Tradition: I feel it is important to keep the traditions we have set and to add another one or two to the mix. I will have a seperate post about our traditions soon.

Wonder: I want to keep the curiosity and wonder going for as long as I can for the boys. SO this will mean a trip to see Santa and many stories being read.

Getting Back On Track

2009-11-19T11:15:00.004-05:00

Boy, I have been neglecting my blog the past few months. Not good. Hopefully that will change now.

I am taking an online class with Jessica Sprague called Holidays In Hand. Today is day 4 and I am really enjoying it so far. We have journal prompts and I will be doing my journaling here so I can refer back to it when I get a chance to do my pages. Hopefully this will also get me back in the habit of of posting here almost daily.

I should be able to get the first couple assignments posted today. We are a house full of sickies right now and we have dedicated today a Harry Potter Day. The first Movie is just ending and while watching I am going to do my journaling.

If I am lucky, I will also find the energy to get my prompts display done today and I can post a picture of that as well.

cards

2009-10-06T22:39:00.005-04:00

This weekend there was a card crop going on at ScrapCentral. Here are four card that I made trying to use up some scraps I have from a few layouts I made using BO BUNNY paper.

Camera Bugs

2009-09-23T19:13:00.004-04:00

I do believe I have a couple camera bugs on my hands. this weekend both Owen and Gavin had a chance to take a few picture with my rebel. Well here they are, UNEDITED. Not bad for not really understanding how the camera works!

Gavin took this one of his Dad and brother.

Owen took this one of the sunset off the cottage dock Sunday evening.

I think I had better start saving for a couple new cameras, lol. though the newest will ALWAYS BE MINE!!!

family visit

2009-09-23T17:40:00.003-04:00

We have been very lucky to have family visiting the past couple weeks that we have net seen in almost 7 years. My Aunt Uncle and Nanny have rented a cottage just up the raod from us and on the weekend my other Uncle and his family came for the weekend. Those were the visitors we knew about. I was more then excited when my Mom called to say that Cousin and his friend had shown up to surprise everyone. I screamed, I cried and I jumped for joy.

Needless to say the boys had a few very late nights as we were all up visiting.

Here are a few pictures from the weekend. Hopefully it won't be another 7 years before we all can get together again.

My Cousin John

John's Friend Noel

Uncle Kerry and his family

Nanny and her children

I am missing pictures of my cousin Tammy and her husband Mark. They cam on sunday for a visit too.

Still Here

2009-09-06T19:45:00.004-04:00

Wow, I can't believe it has been so long since I last posted. I have been pretty busy with the boys on summer break. The past couple days I have finally been able to get back to my hobbies a bit. I have been playing with my PSE program and some actions I have downloaded from a great site called CoffeeShop. I still have loads to learn but I need to print out some instuctions for some of the actions. Here are a few I did.

Color Select

Color pop

New Scraproom

2009-07-26T10:02:00.003-04:00

Finally after years of scrapping I have my own room to set up and organize. It has a wall of shelves with a spot to put my desk. There isn't much for lighting so I have to make do with a couple small lights for now but will eventually find a permanent fixture for in here. My new room is even big enough to have my sewing machine out and still have a desk to put my laptop on. I have not done much in the way of creating in here yet but things are ALMOST done with the unpacking and reorganizing and I am getting the itch to take a day off and scrap. Here are a few pictures, sorry they aren't great but I am still learning how to take pictures in the new ALL WOOD house. This room also has a lot of doors leading into it so that is making it tricky too.

I plan on replacing the photo boxes soso they match and I want to find a better way to store my patterned paper. I am getting a magazine table to put the printer on from Canadian Tire.

I have a narrow shelf to put above the back of the desk to raise these colorful bottles onto. I just need to get Kevin to put the shelves up. One will have to be cut and I thinking of painting them. That will get these off my work space but still have them easy to reach.

I moved my IKEA curtain wire from the old house and now have it directly above my desk. Keeping things in site and more likely to be used too.

Christmas in June

2009-07-22T21:49:00.003-04:00

Wow, it has been a long time since I have updated this blog. We are finally all moved in. I gave a little teaser about a gift my parents gave us after moving in here and now I can post a couple pictures of an amazing gift that I can't figure out exactly WHO it was meant for. Kevin to actually cut the grass or Gavin who is a COMPLETE John Deere fan.

Getting There

2009-06-22T08:21:00.002-04:00

Slowly but surely we are getting all moved in. I have so much to say and pictures to post but it is going to have to wait. If I sit and get started on that I will end up sitting here for 3-4 hours and that is time I need for unpacking.

I will post our "Christmas in June" picture soon.

Green Monster

2009-06-06T20:20:00.003-04:00

It seems we picked up a green monster while shopping the other day. I was told he wouldn't stick around long so I made sure to get a picture of him while he was still here. Though he may look vicious, he was actually quite tame and lovable. I hope he comes back to visit again some day.

Wow, busy, busy, busy here

2009-06-06T19:59:00.005-04:00

It has been quite a while since my last check in. Things have been crazy around here with packing, family reunions, birthdays and family outings. Owen had his 7th birthday and he was spoiled rotten. We took him to the drive-in to see Night at the Museum 2 and Wolverine, Mom took us to see the movie UP, he got a new "HUMMER" bike from his parents(aren't we good!!) and his brother gave him a Sonic game for the WII.

It took a bit to get him riding his bike this year. Kevin and I couldn't even get him to do more then sit on his new bike. Luckily he has a very charming and persuasive Papa who got him moving while Kevin and I made dinner.

These Hands

2009-05-20T22:03:00.004-04:00

These hands are kind and caring, soft yet strong, loving and patient. These hands have worked a farm, spun wool straight off of sheep and llama. These hands have cared for silk worms for their silk. These hands have grown cotton plants and harvested the cotton.

The wonderful women who has these hands, is excited to be growing cotton plants again. This woman has learned all over how to knit and create with yarns from different animals. This woman is my Nanny, my Father’s Mother. This woman is someone who I respect, adore, love and cherish. Her strength and determination is very inspiring. To watch her fight back after a stroke to being able to do all the things she loves again, my heart bursts with pride. Not only has she started to knit again but she is learning to crochet.

I wish I could spend more time with Nanny. I would love to hear the stories of what it was like to live through the war and then immigrate to Canada from England by boat. I would love to hear what my dad was like growing up. Was he smart-alecky or a serious child? What were his favorite pass times? Any question just to be able to listen to her talk in her reassuring voice.

These hands belong to one of the most important women in my life!

Emergency Shopping trip tomorrow

2009-05-18T23:32:00.004-04:00

Can you see them, those long cracks in the side of the (yes dirty) tank? And that is our Kissing fish which is actually pink. We have had this tank for 4 years now and some how today these cracks developed. I can't blame the boys as they were playing outside all day. I can't take the blame I was packing up the bedroom today, and Kevin, well he was at work all day. I guess it is just old age.

We have been wanting to get a new tank for a while now, a bigger one. I guess this is going to happen sooner then later. I was hoping to get a new tank to put in the new house to surprise the boys but now we won't be waiting that long, lol.

I am hoping that along with the bigger tank we will get at least one brightly colored new fish to put in it. I would love to get an angel fish we'll have to see what Gavin picks out. Then of course we'll have to let Owen pick one out next Saturday. It's only fair.

Layout from Girls night.

2009-05-17T22:14:00.003-04:00

Here is one of the layouts I did on our Girls night away on Mother's Day Weekend.

This was such a great weekend and I look forward to it every year.

Wow, what a fabulous Mother’s Day

2009-05-13T09:17:00.005-04:00

It was actually a whole weekend for me. Becky and I left early Friday morning for a child free night of scrap booking. We Met up with our friend Michelle and had a fantastic night of scrapping and chatting. I finished 2 layouts and got 3 more sorted out to finish. I will post pictures of the finished layouts soon.
Now keep in mind this picture was taken EARLY Morning after a night so scrapping, lol. We are just a little tired, lol.

On the way home on Saturday We did a little more shopping on the way home, chocolate, cheese and of course some more scrap booking supplies. When we got back to Peterborough w went to COSTCO and bought food for dinner and went home to eat with the rest of the family.

Sunday Kevin, the boys and I went to Belleville to visit with Sharon for Mother’s day. We took her to Tim Horton’s for lunch. I know that sounds pretty lame but it is a 2 hour drive each way and Kevin’s brother Jason and his family were taking Sharon out for Dinner, so a light lunch is what we thought was best. AND seeing as that Timmy’s IS her favorite place AND Melissa was working it seemed like the perfect place to take her. After eating we went to the Mall for a bit then took her home once we found out that Jason and Connie and arrived in Belleville. It was time for her to spend some time with another son and his family. Unfortunately we didn’t get to see Jason, Connie or Elijah because they were gone when we got back to the house, running an errand.

The best part about Sunday was MY mother’s day gifts from the boys……….

From Owen......

And from Gavin.........

The best gifts are always the ones my boys make for me.

We're Moving

2009-05-06T19:27:00.005-04:00

Finally a decision has been made and we are moving. June 15th we get our new house. It is close to where we are now and closer to my family. Now the fun begins, or so they say.

Owen was excited about for about an hour then things went down hill FAST!! We then had about a half hour of nothing but crying. I think this next couple months are going to be a little emotional for him.

Gavin on the other hand is all for it. We could move tomorrow and he would be fine.

The new house is a little bigger then where we are now. It is still just 2 bedrooms but they are both larger. It has a small kitchen and a separate dining room. Brand new fridge, stove washer and dryer. I will have a small scrap space. And it has a HUGE yard. There is even a cute little shed that the boys will get as a playhouse. There are other kids the boy’s ages there to play with and we are walking distance to the lake. If we had a boat we would have a dock and the neighbors are great.

So it seems I will be busy packing, then Unpacking in the next few months so if you don’t hear from me for a while, you know I buried under the boxes somewhere, lol.

NSD accomplishment

2009-05-03T22:37:00.005-04:00

This past Saturday was Nation Scrapbooking Day. A day of fun challenges and even more chatter between scrappers then usual. I only completed one LO this yes. Sad, I know. But I am happy with that because that is the first LO I have done in over a month.
A couple of the sites I was participating on have their challenges going all week so I still have a chance to take part in the other challenges. Now find some time to scrap.

Happy NSD !!!!!

2009-05-02T10:41:00.005-04:00

Happy National Scrapbooking Day to all my scrappy Friends out there. I am hoping to get a chance to create today. Even if I get just one LO done I will be very happy. I have a few sites that I am keeping track of challenges on. I know I won't be able to do EVERY challenge, not even close, but I am writing down all the cool ideas. I have a crop next weekend that I am going to and I may just continue to finish some of then. If you would like a challenge or two check out these sites, it might just get your creativity flowing. I am watching what is going on at: The Paper Passion an amazing Canadian site based out of Ottawa that my Friend Michelle hooked me up with. Scrap Central another site that Michelle had introduced me to with really fun ladies to chat with. And of course 2 peas where not only my Calendar girl friends have some challenges going on but so do the amazingly talented Garden Girls.

One of the challenges is to do a LO about yourself as a baby. Check back to see that, yes, at one time I was actually shorter then I am now, lol.

Happy scrappin' everyone!

2009-04-29T21:52:00.002-04:00

I had a freind send me a link to a new(to me) scrapbooking site and it is a Canadian site!!! The ladies at Paper Passions are very warm and welcoming and I am slowly learning my way around the site. They are having a National Scrapbooking Day(NSD) weekend crop this weekend. I haven't had any creativity lately so hopefully I can find some before the weekend and take part in a few different challenges that are going on this weekend.

I am really hoping that the boys will occupy themselves for part of the day so I can play at my desk for an hour or two or three........lol

New Neighbor

2009-04-23T21:37:00.004-04:00

It seems my parents have a new neighbor, lol. During the night the neighbors dog trapped a raccoon up a tree. The dog is tied up and the raccoon can’t get down. So of course, I HAD to take my camera over to get a picture.

Earth Day!!

2009-04-22T19:08:00.005-04:00

Today we are all wearing our Earth Day colors, Green and brown and Gavin had some blue so that our water was not left out.

We have done a lot to celebrate today. Owen went to school with a garbage free lunch. While he was at school he spent a part of the day with his classmates cleaning up the school yard. The whole school has taken part in this throughout the week with the higher grades cleaning up parts of the community.

While Owen was a school, Gavin Kevin and I walked over to Mom and Dad’s for tea. On our walk over I pulled the wagon and Gavin and Kevin picked up garbage out of the ditches. Or at least the parts of the ditches that are not still full of water. We filled our wagon and got a little wet along the way. Though we were lucky and it didn't start to REALLY rain until we were at my parents drinking our warm tea and coffee.

After eating dinner tonight the boys each planted sunflower seeds. We bought these kits at Michael’s a few weeks ago. I know it is usually trees that are planted today but with renting trees are not something I feel comfortable planting in the yard.

Line everything up and get ready to begin.

Empty soil bag into pail and add some water to moisten the earth.

Dig hole in center and and bury 10 sunflower seeds.

Be proud of yourself for a job well done. Be happy that you just planted your first ever plant.

We had a fantastic Earth Day!

A slow day

2009-04-19T22:57:00.003-04:00

Today was a slow day around here. I spent the majority of the day in bed with a pretty bad headache. I don't get headaches often but boy this one was a doosy. Luckily the boys played well with each other. They played on the wii, watched a couple movies and played with their toys. After some Advil, a nice hot shower and a few hours rest (couldn't sleep, Kevin was at work) I was feeling well enough to get up and get a couple things done around the house.

Yesterday we spent the day at Mom and Dad's for Dad's birthday. Kevin BBQed stuffed pork roast and we had cauliflower, green beans, broccoli salad, pecan pie and Moose Tracks ice cream. We had a great day.

Sorry but again, no pictures to post.

What Is It With MEN!!!

2009-04-15T19:30:00.003-04:00

I just don't get it. Why do men have such a hard time listening to us women? Kevin called to see what we had for Money in the account and I told him nothing. He need money for gas and I had some in my wallet, so I told him I would bring it in to him. He says "no" then comes home TO GET my money just to drive back to town to get gas!!! Well obviously, if he had that much gas, it could have waiting until tomorrow morning. What a fool he can be sometimes. But, he is mine, ALL mine, and I will NOT share him. LOL

Still Learning

2009-04-13T22:29:00.003-04:00

With Michelle's help I am trying to figure out how to add a link in my posts. So to start I thought I would try and link the site we both visit on a regular basis, SrcrapCentral. I have had a layout in the slide show the past 2 months and I am so honored by that. I am so excited to be apart of this site.

Yay, Thank you Michelle, you seem to be able to explain things to me and trust me that isn't always easy when it comes to computers. Stop agreeing me Tamara!! LOL

Freedom!!

2009-04-13T12:15:00.002-04:00

After the boys having 3 days off, Mom just stopped by to see if one of the boys wanted to go to town with her and she let with BOTH!! Ahhhh, peace and quiet.

It has been a busy day of doing laundry and other chores around the house. The only reason I am STILL doing laundry is that Owen has had an allergic reaction to the last bottle of laundry soap that we bought so I have had to rewash all his clothes. Poor guy can't stop itching and the allergy medicines we have for Gavin are not working for Owen. Kevin tried to pick up some Benedryl on his way home Saturday but the drug stores we closed when he got off and he needed to get home.

If Owen's skin hasn't cleared up bu Tuesday then I will make an appointment with the Dr to see if she thinks we should explore this further. He has only had an allergic reaction 2 now and both times have been to floral scents in Laundry products so from now on it is scentless only in this house.

Well, I am off to enjoy my hour of quiet.

Really Need To Chat With That Bunny!!

2009-04-12T21:22:00.005-04:00

Wow, I DEFINITELY need to have a little talk with the Easter Bunny. The boys were SPOILED!! MP3 players, books, baseball gloves, Bakugans and cards, movies and of course lets not forget the chocolate!!

We had a nice relaxing day. Owen woke up at 6:30 and we convinced him to crawl in with us to wait for Gavin to wake up. At 7, Gavin walked out of his room and we all got up to see what the Easter Bunny had hidden for them to find.
After everything had been discovered and we had our breakfast and gotten dresses we traveled the whole 5 minutes to my parent’s house for Apple pie and tea/coffee and the boys got even more Easter goodies from them. Some chocolate rocks, a book each and new wallets each.

We were home in time for Kevin to eat lunch and get ready to head to work for 3. Since he left the boys and I have had a relaxing afternoon. They listened to their music and played with their new toys. I listened to music and did some more laundry.

AT LAST!!!!

2009-04-06T16:30:00.004-04:00

I finally have a new pair of glasses after 7 years, which is also the last time I had my eyes tested. It was JUST before I got pregnant with Gavin. It is great to have a new look.

There have been some changes since the last time I got glasses. I have a small head and finding glasses that fit properly has always been my biggest challenge. There was never a lot of frames for me to choose from. They were quite usually to wide for my face and the arms would need to be cut so they didn't poke out through my hair behind my ears.

I was very happy to find out that there is now a huge selection to choose from in my area. Steve was awesome as always and picked out a few different pairs for me to try. Once I had it narrowed down to 2 pairs of frames, Steve helped me make the final decision. They may still be metal frames but they are not the wire frames I have always been stuck with and feel that this time I was able to get something with a bit of style too them. They fit comfortable and we didn't need to alter the arms at all this time. The color is fun, a purple blue color. They almost change with what I am wearing.

Finally a bolder pair of eye fashion!!

MORE SNOW!!

2009-04-06T07:44:00.006-04:00

Well, I am always saying how I remember snowmobiling on my Dad's Birthday(April 19) when I was a little girl. If this keeps up we might be able to say that again this year, I just wish we had a snowmobile to make the even complete. I may have to get a friend to take me out if the weather doesn't warm up.

As sick as I am of this winter weather, I have to admit, it does look pretty.

LAZY SATURDAY (and Sunday)

2009-04-04T18:23:00.006-04:00

Today it is miserable outside. The wind is howling, it is cold again and it is SNOWING! this put a kibosh on our plans to hit the Sugar bush. Instead we have had a day inside relaxing. Kevin and the boys played on the WII and watched (geek alert) Star wars movies and I (nerd alert) laid in bed reading most of the day. I finished the forth book in the House of Night series Untamed

And started the next book in the series, Hunted. I have been zipping through these books as quickly as I did the Twilight series.

I have to say I like the way the authors, P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast, have changed up some of the tradition views we have of Vampyres (that was a new way of spelling it for me). I am finding these books very intriguing. If you are a Vampire/Vampyre fan, these are definitely worth checking out.

Kevin took care of dinner tonight too. Turkey with all the fixings. He even made a batch of peanut butter cookies. A request from a fellow employee that he works with tomorrow. It is amazing how quickly people realize his baking talents and how they don't forget them. As soon as he was hired at his current job, the nurses were saying they remembered his desserts from when he did his placement 2 years ago. I don't mind him baking for work as long as he leaves a little at home for us to eat too, lol.

A Day in the City

2009-04-04T17:47:00.006-04:00

Thursday was a big success. We needed to be at Dr Grace's for Gavin's Post op appointment at 10:30 and she said he was healing well. His incision is still a bit red and weeping but she said we didn't need to go back again. Just to keep an eye on it and to make sure it stays clean. we are quite happy with that.

When we were done there we went to IKEA and met up with our friends and did a little shopping. Go figure, lol. We had gone in with the intention of buying the shelving unit for behind the TV but they didn't have the base in stock. That was disappointing. However, not all was lost because we DID finally get the boys a new dresser. Or at least the half of it. We still need to get the other half that is big doors instead of drawers with clothing rods on either side. The boys are happy because at least now they don't have to share drawers anymore. While switching the clothes over to the new dresser we realized just how FEW clothes Owen has right now. The little bum has been in a few month growth spurt. Even the shirts and PJ's he got for Christmas don't fit him any longer. The only items that DO still fit him are the pants. But he has short legs so they seem to last longer.

For Lunch we went to Frankie Tomatoes in Markham. Oh my, was it delicious. We all left wanting to undo the button of our pants from over eating, lol. The food was amazing with so much to choose from. Kevin had his fill of Calamari and salmon. I enjoyed the brachetta bread and Gavin, well, as usual he didn't eat a whole lot.

From there our 12 hour tour took us to NewMarket. We took the kids to ToysRUs. Gavin has agreed to get rid of some of his older toys and for every group of toys he gets rid of he get to buy a new one. This time he is got rid of his Diego train set and bought a Bakugan starter set. A big toy for a small toy, couldn't get much better then that.

Next stop, Micheal's for Becky and I and Petsmart for Chris, Kevin and the kids. I only came out of the store with a bottle of Glossy accents, something I have been searching for with not a lot of luck and 4 grow your own flowerpots from the clearance aisle. One for each of the boys(sunflowers) and one for each of there teachers for Easter(Snowpeas). I was impressed with my restaint.

Last stop before heading home was Chatpers. Kevin and Gavin each got a new spiderman comic and I got the latest book in the House Of Night series, Hunted. Again, impressed with my restraint. Though here there was help with that fact that it was getting later in the afternoon and we still had a 2 hour drive home.

All in all, a great day and we have plans to go back in a month in hopes of purchasing the shelving unit and possible the 2nd part to the boys dresser.

Nothing too exciting

2009-03-31T15:57:00.000-04:00

Well, as you can see from the length of time between my posts I have not had a whole lot going on lately. I haven’t even been scrapbooking. I KNOW! I just heard you gasp!!

On Sunday we took the boys to a Birthday party. It was a lot of fun. It was at the Peterborough Health and Wellness center. That place is awesome. We had an hour to play in a gym. There were different types of balls for the kids to play with, hula hoops and floor hockey stuff. Then we had an hour in the pool (my favorite part) then an hour in a private room to have cake, pizza and open gifts. I think I may be checking into that place for Gavin’s birthday next year.

On this Thursday coming we are heading back to North York for Gavin’s Post Op appointment. He had healed really well and I am looking forward to going to IKEA afterwards. I have my list all ready to go, lol. We are meeting up with Chris and Becky and going to lunch too. Not too sure where we are going to go but somewhere nicer then fast food that is for sure.

I think the funniest thing to happen so far this week is my Mom making the boys as ABBA cd and they LOVE it. As soon as Owen got home from school he asked me to turn it up. How could I say no? So needless to say we have it cranked lol. I think I am doing well at getting them to appreciate all types of music along with my Mom’s help. I just hope I can keep it going as they get older.

The Rest of March Break

2009-03-22T20:29:00.007-04:00

It has been a very quiet March break around here. We did go shopping the past couple days. Thursday we got some groceries and walked around the mall. I even got to so to Scrapbook Emporium in Oshawa. I got a new set of stamps, a couple bottles of stickles and a couple lines of patterned paper, Basic Grey Ambrosia and Bo Bunny Grease monkey & Winter Whispers. The Bo Bunny papers are for the calendars I make as Christmas gifts each year.

On Saturday we went to town to get a few groceries for dinner that night and to buy the movie Twilight. The boys were both really whiny so when I mentioned going to Michael's Kevin said to take him and the boys home first and I could go by myself!!! WOW, Talk about a mini vacation for me, lol. I did a little more damage there too. I bought some MORE stickles, and some paper & embellishments from the cheap isle. I do have to say that all the papers I bought this weekend (except the Basic Grey) had a purpose when I bought them. I have even started a layout using the color bok line.

Starbellied Sneetch

2009-03-17T16:56:00.010-04:00

Well, we are home with our Star Bellies Sneetch.

Today was Gavin’s surgery and his is doing well. We left the house at 6am and got to the hospital at 8am. It took a bit to get into his surgery but he went in racing the nurse and Dr Grace. She is amazing and helped Gavin feel very comfortable, lots of stickers for bribery, lol. Dr Grace said he did very well throughout the surgery. She kept the fun going but cutting Gavin a Star Shaped bandage and putting, guess this, a sticker on it, haha.

When I got to go into the recovery room he was almost his happy self, just a little tired. The nurse gave him half a popsicle and he ate it pretty quickly. She then gave him a second one but he didn’t get half way through and before he was sick. That was the start of it. We had a long trip back to Pickering where we stopped to get him some gravol. Once that was into him along with a few cheerios that he was DETERMIND to eat, he seemed a bit better. Not 20 minutes after he was snoring away in the back seat, lol. He slept the rest of the way home, Kevin brought him in and put him on the couch and he is STILL sleeping now. He looks so cute when he is sleeping.

Ok, it is now time to go check on dinner.

Title says it ALL

2009-03-15T23:18:00.006-04:00

I used a few different Digital kits for this LO. The 2 papers are 2peas watercolor, the acrylic letters are 2peas Hallow'Out, the journaling spot is 2peas MonthlyBits, the yellow flower border is Rhonna Farrer's from a 2peas kit and the Yummy Yummy journaling circle is from Sande Krieger for the March PSE7 class. Guilty is from Krystal Hartley at Scrap Orchard and the stickpin is in the Vintage Floral kit from Shabby Princess.

Still Blogging

2009-03-15T11:59:00.006-04:00

Well it has been a few days since I have posted on here, so I thought I would get caught up.

Saturday we had a surprise birthday party to go to for Jason. We all met for dinner and had a great visit. He was actually surprised which was really nice for Connie. Those surprise parties are never easy to pull off and she did an awesome job. The food was amazing. I’m still tasting the garlic from the Cesar salad, lol We all met up at the Thirsty Monk. We had not been there since it had moved to a new location and it was really nice. Much brighter then the old location.

Thursday was the boys last day of school before March break and Owen had a special day. For the past few months they have had the author Ted Staunton coming to the school to teach them all about writing and publishing books. While doing this the students have written AND published (at school) their own books. Owen has been so excited about this and was happy that we could make it to the celebration they had to thank Ted Staunton for coming. All of the classes had their books on tables to show to the parents. They read a few of the books to us, sang some songs and they all did such an amazing job. Ted Staunton even stayed afterwards to sign the kids books and of course he had some of his books there to buy and sign as well. He has been such an incredible role model to bring in and really got he students active in their creative thinking. The books had covers, copyright pages, dedication pages, the story obviously, and an “about the author” page. They even illustrated their books. Owen is so proud of his accomplishment and enjoyed reading his book to his Dad.

Calm Before the Storm

2009-03-12T10:27:00.001-04:00

Well, this is the calm before the storm, the last day of school before March break. I am talking a few minutes to sit, watch a movie and relax. As of 4pm tonight the mayhem begins, haha. Today I have to head into the school for a presentation by the Owen’s class and a couple others. They have written books with the help of the Author, Ted Staunton. I am excited to see what the students have created. Owen has been talking about this for so long and was very happy to hear that I was going today along with his Gammie.
After the show at the school, I get to come home and have a couple peaceful hours.
Next week is already looking busy but I will save that for another post……

Some Habits Don't Need To Be Broken

2009-03-11T14:19:00.007-04:00

Some habits don’t need to be broken. Having my camera with me at all times, is a habit that I have slipped away from that I need to get back. So often in the past few months I have said those dreaded words “I wish I had my camera.” There is no excuse for this. I have a great camera bag that is easy to pick up when heading out the door. It isn’t even that heavy as long as I don’t put the laptop in it.

With spring finally on its way I am going to do my best to keep that camera at hand. Soon there will be wildlife venturing out again and frolicking about. I caught site of a Porcupine catching some zzz’s on Friday and this is juts the beginning. Soon we will see plants starting to bud then bloom, rabbits searching for fresh leaves to nibble on and possibly the deer and turkey crossing the road up from the house again.

I DID IT!!!!

2009-03-09T22:45:00.002-04:00

I figured out how to add the header to the blog. I spent the evening creating it in PSE7 then had to try a few times to get it the right size. BUT I did it!! As you can see, sometimes it's the small things that excite me.

My Corner

2009-03-09T10:26:00.005-04:00

Today the boys have a snow day, yet again. Though it truly is more of an "ice day". We had freezing rain all night with a light layer of snow cover this morning.

So, today, after getting laundry and a few other chores done I am heading to My corner. A couple weeks ago we finally rearranged our living room so all my scrap stuff is together and I am loving it. Everything is right at hand and there is finally a light for me to use.

To the right of my area is the boys area with their little table, their bookshelf and all their craft stuff. They are actually sitting there and scrapbooking as I type this. Now, if I can get them to clean up when they are done, then I will be a very happy person.

Tyme for everything

2009-03-08T18:13:00.001-04:00

Time for everything you wanted to do in a day, wouldn't that be nice.

I am not exactly computer savvy and I know I have a few friends out there laughing at me right now, BUT I am going to try this. It may take me a while to figure everything out, like adding a blog header. But I will figure it out.

Michelle, you had better be prepared to hear from me because this is your fault, lol. This all start with me trying to figure out the google reader you thought I should try out.

I think for my first post I will post a layout I did yesterday. these Tiki torches may not get used anymore but, we did use them quite a bit the first year we moved into this house. I loved sitting outside in the glow from flames. It was always so calming. We still sit outsie on the deck alot in the summer, we just don't have the torches anymore.