Sleep Changes

Well, it looks like my days of seeing this twice a day are over! Now I really can't complain because Nathan is a great sleeper, but in the last few days, he's messed up both his naps, so we're going to try going to one (hopefully long) nap in the afternoon. These pictures are from last week when I popped my head in to check on him and make sure he was sleeping and was he ever - he was OUT! I guess being that he's 22 months and is only now going to a nap a day, I really can't complain!



This is the new friend we have in the house. Kyle has been doing some of the cutest projects and fun stuff at preschool. This is something they did last week and it has grass seed in the top. The ideas is that it's sort of like a Chia pet and it'll grow "hair". The funny thing is that is really has already started to sprout, so I'll have to post another picture in a week or two once it's grown a little more.

Well, I wish I could say I got some scrapping done last night or some cards make, but it wouldn't be the truth. Honestly, I did some cleaning and then relaxed for a bit! Watched the "After the Final Rose" episode of the Bachelor and called it a night. Talk about an uncomfortable show! Brad trying to explain to 2 women he says he has feelings for that he just didn't want to take it any further and poor sad Deanna under the delusion that he was going to regret his decision and whisk her away. Boy, was she sorely disappointed - again! At least they did have the 2 couples on that have done well in this process to make it look good! Trista and Ryan with their new baby and Byron and Mary talking about getting married! Ahhh...love!

Well, better get a move on here today! Need to get some laundry done and would like to get a few things purged since I'm sort of in purge mode here again though it's just hard to find the time with 3 kids around! Peter Walsh inspired me once again after seeing some of the Oprah last week with the woman that was hoarding. He makes so much sense to me every time I hear him and I just get so inspired to act after seeing him!

Not much going on here really. Other than laundry, Kyle needs to get to preschool and I have a preschool meeting tonight to go to! No scrapping here today by the looks of it unless I can do some when the kids nap this afternoon!

Cheers,
Colleen

Tuesday morning quiz

I was blog hopping this morning and found this fun little quiz on Toni's blog.

Who am I? Colleen - wife, mum, daughter, sister, stay at home mum, teacher, scrapbook store employee
Who knows me best? My hubby!
How old am I? 37
How old do I feel? depends on the day!
The most important thing in my life is... my family
I always carry...my cell phone and wallet
Something I always do is...drink coffee in the morning
I'm at my happiest when...I'm spending time with my family
On a Monday morning, you'll find me...at my computer after a quick shower before the kids are up!
My favorite mode of transportation is...my car!
My eyes are...blue/grey
My favorite material possession is...my scrapbooking stuff!
To relax, I like to...go for a walk with the boys, scrapbook, read...
The town I live in is...wonderful because it has all the amenities we need close-by and I've met some great people
What's my worst habit? over planning
My guilty pleasure is...reality TV for sure!
When I look at someone, the first thing I see is...their smile
I think ......... is beautiful. I think fall is beautiful!
One thing that I can live without is...stress!
One thing people don't know about me is...that I sometimes worry that people won't like me.
My life is...really in an amazing place what with my lovely family, living in a great house and being able to stay home with my boys!

Not too much going on around here on this beautiful sunny November day. Going to be out walking Kyle up to preschool with the kids later after lunch. Hope the kids get a good nap this afternoon and I might be able to do a little scrapping again. Have stir fry I need to do up later for dinner and then I think it'll just be a relaxing night!



Oh, OK, before I go, I just have to say WHAAAAT?!?! about The Bachelor last night! Now I know some of you may be surprised that I got sucked into watching it again (and others of you that know of my reality TV addiction won't be surprised!), but what an ending! He didn't pick anyone?!?! He dumped them both?!?! WOW! I didn't see that one coming at all! I was going to go to bed early tonight, but not now because I have to watch "After the Final Rose" to see what he says about his decision!

Have a great one everyone! Hope to have some more scrappy stuff to post tomorrow!
Cheers,
Colleen

Monday again already...

Supplies: Cardstock is Bazzill. Patterned paper is American Crafts, Reminisce and the blue "bling" paper is Doodlebug. The stickers are Reminisce. The journaling block stamp is Autumn Leaves. The ink is Lagoon Blue Versa Color. The brads are Making Memories.

I actually managed to get a little scrapping done this afternoon and this one came together really quickly using my November Scrapperie kit and one of the sketches that came with it. This will probably end up being one page of two.

2Peas Challenge for today is -
What is the biggest step you have taken this year?
The biggest "step" or change for both myself and our family has been the decision to become a stay at home mum. My maternity benefits ran out early in the year, so things have changed quite a lot since then. I started taking care of Sophia 4 days a week once Tracy went back to work and the money that Tracy pays me for that has helped bridge a bit of the finiancial gap.

We have also cut back in a lot of ways. We have gone from one vehicle to two to help us save money. I'm working part-time at a scrapbooking store for a little extra money and to help get me out in the world talking to adults. We don't go out as much as we used to and we're careful about what we're buying. No more 100 channels on cable and some of the little things as well. The reality is that in the long run they really are little things and I feel very lucky to be able to stay at home with the boys and to help look after Sophia as well. I really do appreciate it more than I can say.

The Scrapperie Blog Topic today was this:
When was the last time you...

1.Cleaned out your closet? I actually have this on my list of things to do because it's been a while!
2.Went to a concert? Good question! Ummmm...I'm thinking too long if I can't remember which one other than a kids one!
3.Had a milkshake? Probably a couple of years! Need to do this soon!
4.Got all dressed up? For George's Christmas party last year I think, so almost a year ago! That's quite sad really!
5.Went grocery shopping? Did some of this on Saturday!

Well, I need to think about getting Nathan up and Kyle ready so we can get George from work. We took him this morning so we could have the car to take Kyle to his preschool field trip at the library this afternoon!

Cheers,
Colleen

PS Feel free to check out yesterday's post and my questions for entry for a little scrappy giftie thingy! hee hee

My latest creation...

The patterned paper came from my most recent Scrapperie overstock kit called "Which Way Did He Go, George?" and the kit is fab!! You may not be able to see it, but there is also journaling all around the lighter cardstock about the things he's doing these days. This was inspired by the cover of the July/Aug 2006 Simple Scrapbooks.

Supplies: Cardstock is Bazzill (including the die cut lettering of the "u" and 22). Patterned paper is Reminisce. Stamp "@" is Making Memories with Lagoon Blue Versa Colour that was heat embossed. The rub-ons in the title are Creative Imaginations. Star is Making Memories. Misc brads and eyelets are Making Memories.

I did this layout for the second week of the monthly challenge going on at Scrapperie.

So this is my latest creation and it got me thinking about a couple of things!
1. Today I posted my supply list, but I often don't on my blog, do you appreciate it when people do or do you care?
2. How many of you use blogs to find inspiration and/or challenges?
3. Do you use GoogleReader (or something similar) to keep track of all the wonderful scrap blogs now? If not, how many to you read and how do you keep track of them?
4. What your current fav for a scrap blog?

For anyone that answers these before Wednesday night, I'll put your name into the random name generator and someone will get a little something in the mail from me!

Cheers,
Colleen

Have a good listen!

Was reading a few blogs this afternoon and came across this on Bonnie's. I think Pink speaks for more than a few people with this song called Dear Mr. President.



Dear Mr. President
(feat. Indigo Girls)

Dear Mr. President,
Come take a walk with me.
Let's pretend we're just two people and
You're not better than me.
I'd like to ask you some questions if we can speak honestly.

What do you feel when you see all the homeless on the street?
Who do you pray for at night before you go to sleep?
What do you feel when you look in the mirror?
Are you proud?

How do you sleep while the rest of us cry?
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye?
How do you walk with your head held high?
Can you even look me in the eye
And tell me why?

Dear Mr. President,
Were you a lonely boy?
Are you a lonely boy?
Are you a lonely boy?
How can you say
No child is left behind?
We're not dumb and we're not blind.
They're all sitting in your cells
While you pave the road to hell.

What kind of father would take his own daughter's rights away?
And what kind of father might hate his own daughter if she were gay?
I can only imagine what the first lady has to say
You've come a long way from whiskey and cocaine.

How do you sleep while the rest of us cry?
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye?
How do you walk with your head held high?
Can you even look me in the eye?

Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Minimum wage with a baby on the way
Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Rebuilding your house after the bombs took them away
Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Building a bed out of a cardboard box
Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Hard work
Hard work
You don't know nothing 'bout hard work
Hard work
Hard work
Oh

How do you sleep at night?
How do you walk with your head held high?
Dear Mr. President,
You'd never take a walk with me.
Would you?

Something to think about on this lovely sunny Sunday...
Cheers,
Colleen

Scrapping out...

of my comfort zone! I got the new Rockin the Casbah kit from Scrapperie and love the papers and colours that Sandi has put together! I don't normally scrap with colours/patterns this bold, but they're fun for kids pages. I was really looking forward to getting this kit and playing with it because my scrapping is generally very structured and not very "freestyle" which this kit really lends itself to.

This was also done for Week 2 of the Scrapper's Amazing Race Challenge at TTT. We had to use flowers, circles and a new technique on our page. The flowers were hard for me, but I actually like the black ones. I tried a few new things with the stamped border (Kelly Panacci by Sandylion), paint on the edges of my picture and the wording with rub-ons and the Painty Sharpie on my picture. The title was fun with all the different fonts too. Can't wait to play a little more with this kit!

Well, not much going on here this morning what with Kyle still with mum and dad. Nathan just asked to go down for a nap even though it's only 8:30, but as soon as he did Sophia wanted to lay down too, so I get a few quiet minutes. Kyle will be back about 11ish I think this morning, so the little ones will get a Nana/Grandpa visit too.

I'm not working tonight, so I'm hoping to be able to get some scrapping/card-making done and maybe play a little with some of the challenges in the Scrapshotz cyber crop this weekend. I'm working all day tomorrow, but have Sunday off too, so it's not too crazy a weekend around here at all!

Oh and one of the girls at work that also teaches, Tara, finally started a blog, so you should check it out! It's called luvs2cre8.

The 2 Peas Challenge for today is...
You have to bring some food to a party. What's it going to be?

This is an easy one for me because since I started making Homemade Almond Roca, I get asked for it all the time. Now I guess I'm going to give away my secret, but the best part is that it's quick, easy and delicious!

1 cup of butter
3/4 cup of brown sugar
1 package of whole graham wafers
1 cup of slivered almonds
1 cup of chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Layer graham wafers on a cookie sheet and don't overlap them.
Sprinkle almonds on top of the graham wafers.
In a saucepan, melt the butter and then add the broen sugar and bring this to a boil.
Pour the mixture over the graham wafers and almonds and put it in the oven for about 8 minutes.
Take it out and sprinkle the chocolate chips on top. Leave it for a minute and then run a fork through the chocolate.
Refrigerate and break into pieces when cold.
Enjoy it because it won't last long!

Have an amazing weekend everyone!
Cheers,
Colleen

Christmas is coming...

It's hard to believe it's already getting to be that time again. I love the holidays though and I'm really looking forward to it. I'll be starting to decorate at the beginning of December though we'll no doubt hold off on the tree for a bit. I'd like to put it up early too, but with Nathan and having Sophia here 4 days a week, I don't think it's a good idea!

We have thankfully really downsized our shopping in recent years too. George and I aren't doing much for each other largely because we don't need a lot and there's no point in spending money on stuff we don't need. We have promised each other a night out for just the 2 of us in December though.

We're going to do stockings for the 4 of us though and that'll be fun. We are doing one gift from George and I for the people in my family (that means a gift for mum, dad, Tracy, and Brian). We then have the boys and Sophia. I'm doing a little something for George's parents, but they don't do gifts in his family anymore - maybe partly because there are a lot of them! I'm making something for the grandmas and that's about it really! We quit all the friends gifts and just spend time together instead. None of us need anything!

It's going to be a little different this year as it'll be the first year for just the 4 of us on Christmas morning. The past few years since we moved in here, we've had Tracy and Brian (and Sophia last year!) and mum and dad here for gift opening. There are a lot of us now though, so we've decided (well, mum and dad did really, but it's a good idea I think) that we're all going to do our own thing. I think it'll be the most different for mum and dad though with just the 2 of them!



We've started a tradition around here of getting an ornament for the kids each year with the idea that they can take them with them when they leave home. When I left home, I didn't have any and took whatever I could get from whoever would give it to me, so when I saw this idea somewhere, I thought it was a fun one because all the ornaments will have memories as well. We try and find an ornament of something that they're into and we've already found Nathan's. We were shopping the other day and I saw an Elmo ornament and we knew that was it for Nathan this year! We also knew if we didn't get it then, we'd probably never find it again. Nathan loves it already and since we don't want to take it out of the box, he keeps telling us that Elmo is "tuck" (stuck!).

It's a little quieter around here today since Kyle isn't here! Mum came into town to watch the little ones yesterday while I went and did my duty day at preschool with Kyle. It was great to have a visit and then she asked if she could take Kyle home with her for a couple of days since dad has to come into town again on Friday for the dentist anyway. Of course, Kyle was more than excited at that idea! Makes for a different kind of day for me though with just the 2 little ones.

Well, guess I'd better run. Hope to get some scrapping done today since I work tonight!

Cheers,
Colleen

A little burnt...

I think I've finally come to the conclusion that I'm burning the candle at both ends a little more than I should be! Everything that I've been doing is catching up with me and it just means I need more sleep and a little more "me" time!

What with having the kids and then Sophia here 4 days a week as well plus working at the store about 3 or 4 days a week of late, it's been busy! It's not even just that though...I've been making the mistake of staying up too late after getting my second wind in the evening and then I just feel wiped in the morning. Kyle and Nathan waking up at 6am all week hasn't made it any better either! I need to make sure I'm getting to bed earlier and I think that'll make all the difference because I want to be able to enjoy the kids and not be grumpy with them! I really do enjoy getting out and going to work. I can't imagine not having the scrapbooking store to go to a few times a week! Helps keep me sane!

I have a few scrappy projects I want to be working on, so it's a matter of finding the time this week to do a couple of challenges and work with my new Scrapperie kit! I also saw a fantastic project on Tobi's blog that you really should check out! I so want to try this now! She replicated one of the great decorations that Starbucks has and it turned out so well! She's a very talented woman and teaches at the store I work in, so check it out!

Well, better run for now, but have an amazing day!
Cheers,
Colleen

Gotta love a challenge!

I'm a total sucker for a challenge and that's why I do so many scrapping ones! Helps keep me going! This layout was one I did for the monthly challenge that's going on at Scrapperie. The idea was to do a "superhero" layout however you interpreted that and it had to have a 5X7 picture and hand-written journaling, so this is what came out of that!



Speaking of things coming...THIS showed up today and I can't wait to get going on my Scrapperie kit for November called Rockin' the Casbah! I have idea rolling around in my brain, so let's hope I can find some time to get them on paper!



I caught a few minutes of "The View" this morning and saw the singer Marc Cohn on there and heard about the horrible incident he had with a carjacker shooting him in the head. He's very lucky to have survived, but apparently what came out of the whole ordeal was some new songs. He sang this one on the show today and I thought the words were amazing! The video is from Ellen...

Live Out the String (Marc Cohn)

Maybe life is curious to see what you would do
With the gift of being left alive
Spread the higher purpose
And cut through all the shuck and jive
It’s only natural, maybe superstitious
To try and find the meaning in beating the odds
Cause sometimes you gotta get down on your knees
And thank the whole wide universe of Gods for letting you…

Live out the string
A little longer, boy
Raise your voice and make a joyful noise
Ain’t no guarantee of anything
Live out the string

Now that a meteorite has fallen in the chair
You just got out of to answer the phone
Will you live every moment like it just might be the last
Or will you still just bitch and moan

Fate is kind, fate is cruel, fate is terminally cool
It’s a random interruption in the middle of your groove
But sometime you gotta get down on your knees
And find yourself a deeper groove, yeah…

Live out the string
A little longer boy
Raise your voice and make a joyful noise
Ain’t no guarantee of anything
So live out the string (the string)

Who knows if we got angels on our shoulders
Right now with the devil in the street
Who knows if it means we got more work to do
But hey baby, don’t the air taste sweet

Get down on your knees
Get down on your knees
Live out the string
Live out the string
(yeah-ah, yeah-ah, yeah-ah)

Maybe life is curious to see what you would do
with the gift of being left alive

Well, gotta run because I need to go get Kyle from preschool, but have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Colleen

Memories of Remembrance Day

I was 15 and a Pathfinder and had been asked to recite "In Flanders Fields" in the cemetery as part of a Remembrance Day ceremony. It's one of the hardest things I've had to do.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

As I started to read, there was a total silence that engulfed me and since I knew the poem inside out, my mind wandered. This was the first time since Grandpa died that I had been here - to this place where he was buried. I missed him so much. I had gone to the service after he passed, but hadn't been to the cemetery and it was at this moment, as I was reading, that a lot of that really hit me. I'm honestly not sure how I managed to finish without completely losing it.

A very emotional day for a 15 year old girl...
Take a moment to remember today in your own way.

Colleen

A reminder...

Saw this today and thought it was a wonderful reminder of what tomorrow is all about!



Tomorrow as I pause at 11am I'll be thinking of my grandpas who are no longer with us who both fought though thankfully survived the war (only to both be killed by cancer). I'll also be thinking of my amazing dad who I'm proud to say was a Canadian peacekeeper in his younger days. I love all of you...

I'm not one who can say she supports war, but I can fully appreciate the sacrifice of the men and women and their families that have fought and are fighting.

Colleen

Magic Mesh is BACK!

Magic Mesh is apparently making a comeback! Precious Memories, the store I work at, is participating in a creative expo event this weekend and the store got some to sell at this event, but didn't have any recent samples. Some of us that were working the other night were asked to take some Magic Mesh home and to do some samples, so these are the ones I did. It was fun to play with again!

Not too much going on around here today really. I've got the kids and it's a rainy one I think out there for the day, so we'll be having a stay at home day and then I work again tonight. Kyle was up at 6 this morning, so he'll be having a nap too, so I'll be able to scrap later with any luck!

Have a great day!
Cheers,
Colleen

Some more layouts...

Morning all! Here we are mid-week again and the week seems to be flying by! I've been busy it seems between the kids, work, spending some time with George, getting some things done around the house (never-ending of course!!) and some scrapbooking, I just don't know where the time goes!

I got the two layouts above done in the last little bit. The first one was for my design team work and I used my October Scrapperie Indian Summer kit. The second one I just did for the first week of the new Scrapper's Amazing Race Challenge at TTT.

There are two challenges going on over at Scrapperie as well! One is a Gratitude Challenge and I decided to try a mini album on photo file dividers (in the post below). I'm behind now though and need to get going on it! If only there were a few more hours in a day! The other is a monthly challenge that is going to go for 2 months and the first week is up now! I'm just playing along because I'm helping to decide on points, but it's fun and I have a layout in mind!


I was also wonderfully surprised when I opened the TTT newsletter this month and this layout was in it! Fun!

Well, guess that's about it for now. Not too much going on today since it's a rainy one. My lovely friend Laurel is being wonderful again today and has offered to take Kyle to preschool! Even better since it looks like it's going to be a wet one and it means I won't have to wake up the little ones to go pick him up!

I'm also getting very excited about my friend Julie and her husband, Simon, and their boys, Alex and Rhys, coming up to visit us in December all the way from Australia!! I haven't seen them since George and I got married and between us we have 3 more kids now!! Can't wait to see you all! Oh and the eggnog lattes are OUT NOW Julie!!

Have a fantastic day!
Cheers,
Colleen

Wanna scrap...

but there's been so much going on in our house it seems! I did manage to get the "layout" above done for the Scrapperie Gratitude Challenge. I'm a little behind now since I've worked the last couple of days and haven't had time to scrap, but I'm looking forward to doing more of this. I used my October kit to do it as well. This is going to be a mini book done on photo file dividers - something fun and different!

I'm also very excited about something scrappy that's just gone postal and is on it's way to me, but more about that later when I get it!!

I need to get working on a layout for the Scrapper's Amazing Race at TTT! The first clue went up yesterday and I know what the product is, so I just need to do a layout with it!! Good for some inspiration! Now I just need to find some more time!

I worked Friday night until midnight, all day yesterday and then again for 4 hours this afternoon! I didn't have Sophia Thursday or Friday after calling Tarcy and telling her that both George and Kyle were home with fevers. I finally took Kyle to the dr. yesterday morning before I went to work and found out that he had a throat infection, so the dr. put him on antibiotics. He seems better already this morning! Yeah! I still have my cough, but that's about it (though my voice is a little rough) and George seems to be on the mend after 2 days off work this part week (which NEVER happens!).

Think that's about it for now though I do have more Halloween related pics to post at some time too!
Have a great Sunday!
Cheers,
Colleen

Fun Halloween night!

Yeah! A success all the way around! I was a little worried for a couple of reasons... we borrowed a costume from a friend for Nathan and it's a dinosaur one, but I wasn't sure he'd wear it since he wasn't too thrilled when we tried it on him. I actually took a fireman's hat with me just in case, but it was a go thankfully! He didn't wear the head part too much, but that's OK. I was also worried that Kyle would be too scared of some of the houses and decorations. He really doesn't like the spooky Halloween music either, but he did really well and there was really only one house where he didn't like one of the decorations that was a motion sensored thing that played music and bounced around. He didn't go to one house because of the music, but other than that, we did very well. (Not the best picture of the boys, but the only one I have until I get some more from mum or Tracy!)







Kyle was looking forward to going tonight, but he'd had a big day since he had a party at preschool today too. They didn't wear costumes, but made hats at school. They decorated by giving the kids rolls of streamers and letting the run it all over the place like a huge spider web - fun idea! Their snack was a cookie on a plate with some icing and sprinkles, so they could decorate their own cookie before they ate it. Then, they got to do a little trick or treating thing at school too.

Kyle and I ran out to the store so I could get my cheque while George was at home sick with the sleeping kids. Kyle even got a treat at the store! I managed to get back after mum had arrived at our place, especially since we picked up pizza on the way home. The pizza place was sure busy!

Got home for a quick bite and then we were off to Tracy's place to do our trick or treating. As I mentioned, mum came here for a quick visit and picked up Sophia to take her home. I know Tracy was worried that Sophia wouldn't wear her cute little Winnie the Pooh costume either, but she did and looked adorable, so we all did well. We got a little wet, but overall did very well! We went around Tracy's neighbour mostly to the people that she knew so they could see Fia as well.

Nathan was hilarious! He was right into it going up to the door and knocking and saying trick or treat (as best he can!). He wasn't having too much of the at part of his costume, but that was OK too. He still looked very cute! And he sure isn't afraid of anything though one older kid with a scary mask got in his face and growled and that did it! I gave that kid heck too!



At one point, I tried to take Nathan's little pumpkin bucket from him a couple of times to help him out and there was no way I was prying it out of his hands! You should have heard him howl when I took it away for him to go to bed!! I can only imagine what he'll be like next year!

I knew we wouldn't do too much with the little kids and Kyle's not old enough to want to do a ton yet. After finishing our trick or treating, we headed right home and didn't go in to Tracy and Brian's for fear we'd be there all night!

I knew George was looking forward to taking Kyle to the "Santa house" as he calls it (because of the fact that they decorate the house all up for Christmas and Santa is there on Christmas Eve). The two of them went over there for a quick stop and then came home. Apparently the man was nice enough to turn off the scary music that Kyle didn't like too.

A fun (though busy) day all around! Another Halloween come and gone already!
Christmas will be here before you know it...
Cheers,
Colleen

Halloween from years gone by...

I just got this in a box of stuff that my grandma returned to us of pictures, letters and cards that Tracy and I have sent to her over the years. This was taken in 1982 at Wong's in Matsqui. Our neighbour used to work for the Mission paper, so I'm assuming that was how we ended up getting our picture taken for it. This just made me laugh! I think this was the last year I went trick or treating.

Today's 2Peas Blogger Challenge:
Are you the type of person who thinks you need to have journaling on every layout you create?
I would have to say that I always feel like my layout is missing something without the journaling. Telling the story is a big part of the reason I scrap and I want people to be able to look at my layouts years from now without me and know what's going on in the pictures and who everyone is. I also want my layouts to give people a little idea of what our life is like.

Not too much going on here really today. I'm doing duty at Kyle's preschool, so mum is coming to watch Nathan and that's really about it. I took George to work so I could have the car and when I pick him up, I think we might stop by a farm and get a pumpkin. Unfortunately, the one Kyle got at the pumpkin patch 2 weeks ago is going bad!!

Hope everyone has a great Monday!
Cheers,
Colleen

Another work day...

Yes, it's Sunday, but not your typical one in the sense that a person would have it off because I'm working at the store today! This is my 4th day in a row and I'll be honest is saying I'll be glad when I'm finished today since I think I'm also getting sick again (or the last cold that hasn't completely gone away is running into whatever I'm getting now with this sore throat).


I did manage to get this done this weekend. Just a fairly quick one done with my Scrapperie kit this month and the only thing extra were the American Crafts vinyl letters I think. I was so excited to try them and then was very disappointed - so much so that I e-mailed American Crafts that night to tell them. Most of the adhesive didn't even stick to the lettering and when I tried to move the letters on my page, what did stick to the letters then stuck to my page and made a mess. Anyway, I did have fun doing this layout and it's great to be able to scrap some pictures of mum and I. This was the third year we'd gone to this retreat, but we're not going this year (it would have been in a couple of weeks). Maybe we'll have to plan our own weekend scrap together with Tracy!

Well, guess I'd better go do a few other things today before I have to go to work. Wanna go spend some time with the boys (who are now playing "horsey" with Kyle being the horse!).

Have a fantastic day everyone!
Cheers,
Colleen

Friday again already...

Sometimes I really just don't know where the week goes! It seems like it was just Monday! It's been a busy week though and having the kids all day can make it go very quickly sometimes when it seems like it's one meal or one diaper change after another!




This is my new little project for the Secret Garden section at Scrapperie where you get a few little bonuses if you get their kit. I just did a little online class for how to make this file folder mini tag album and it was fun and fairly easy to do too. The idea has been coming up all over the place! I saw it first when Tobi did one one night at a store crop. She gave me the info about Kristina Werner's blog tutorial which then also mentions Taylor VanBruggen! So, I was armed with all that info and then I was planning on doing this little project night they have at Scrapshotz once a week and guess what it was - you got it, the same thing! So, this is a popular project in deed and someone seemed to be telling me this would be a good project! I hope some people try it so I can see some more! This was all done with my October kit from Scrapperie as well!

There's also a new challenge going on for the next 2 months at Scrapperie! This will be an eight week challenge. There will be a new challenge posted each week. You will have one week to create your layout and get it posted to the Gallerie, linking it back to the challenge thread. And the best part is that there are no ELIMINATIONS! It works on a points system! Come on over and sign up now!!

We've got a fun day here with Gina bringing the boys over for a play date and then naps this afternoon! I'll be getting read for work while they nap since I work 4 hours tonight. Work all weekend though too!

Have a fantastic day!
Cheers,
Colleen

Kyle's favourite!

This is one of Kyle's favourite things to do - cook/bake. If he can help in the kitchen, he's all over that. I was hoping that if I got him to help with some things like casseroles with vegetables that he might actually eat that too, but no luck yet! Vegetables are really not his thing!

Chocolate muffins on the other hand...a hit! We practically had a meltdown over this too because I'd sort of told him we could do this if he had a bath, but George didn't know that and when Kyle asked after his bath, Daddy said no because he didn't want him to get all dirty again. I made a deal with Kyle that we could do them as long as he wore the apron that Grandma made him! He agreed and off we went.

I have to admit that we did "cheater" muffins as you can plainly see. I do make them from scratch too, but we get the mix when it's on sale because it's an easy thing to have in case someone drops by or Kyle wants to make something. We had fun and Kyle was happy!

Not too much going on around here today. The little ones are down for their nap/rest, so I'm going to go get a cup of coffee and hang with Kyle! We'll see if we can manage to get out for a bit maybe since it's not pouring rain today! Maybe even just in the backyard since I can't really get the stroller out because the garage door won't go up! There's a spring that we need to get replaced and the place that sells them is only open weekdays!


I'm also going to be participating in a "Scrapper's Amazing Race" challenge over at Transparent Tags and Touches that starts November 3rd, so you might want to go check it out!!

Cheers and have a great day!
Colleen

I've been TAGGED!

Some of you have seen this layout before since it's not a new one, but thought I'd steal Debbi's idea since it was her that first tagged me and she posted an older layout she'd done about herself when she posted her answers too. The funny thing is that Darlene (webdee) then also tagged me with the same thing!

1. Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself (on your blog, we all want to know them).

OK, here we go with the random/weird facts though I'm not sure how weird they'll be!
1. I've tried eating the sashimi in Japan that they take out of the tank and fillet in front of you and is so "fresh" that it's still moving when it arrives at your table.
2. I've had my dental bridge knocked out my a very large can of beer.
3. I've dislocated my knee twice (playing basketball and goofing around dancing) - yes, excrutiatingly painful!!
4. I managed women's basketball teams at the junior and senior high school level as well as college and university.
5. I can't start the day if the kitchen is a mess and have to deal with it first thing if it is - eve before my morning coffee!
6. I have stitches around the end of my pinky finger after putting it in a door as a kid and someone closing the door with my finger in it!
7. I'm allergic to shellfish.

3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
As for who to tag, I need to find some people that haven't done this so...
Kristin
Sandi
Christina
Joelle
Lynn
Toni (toners)
Heather

4. Let each person know that they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
I'm off to let them all know!

Hope everyone has a fantastic day!
Cheers,
Colleen