Time for DH to go to work !

I thought by Monday morning DH would be at work early ( like how about 4 AM ! ) as he is a little bit of a work-aholic ! LOL ! At 3 AM the light got turned on and I waited and waited for him to get out out of bed so I could snuggle under my blankets and catch up on some much needed sleep after holidays , well....... he didn't get up ! Finally I asked him what was going on and to my surprize he told me he wasn't going to go to work ! WHAT !!! He must be really sick as he NEVER misses work ( maybe 5 days in the past 33 yrs ! ). Seems that he has stomach pains and being he has colitis , that could mean a number of things . Well the stubborn fool never went to the Dr but stayed home and suffered all day and all night ! Again , 3 AM this morning the light gets turned on and ...... nothing ...... He decided to stay home again ! Finally he gets up at 8 am and dragged his hinny to the ER ( our Dr is away - again ) . 5 hrs later he arrives home , X-rayed , blood work ...... etc ! NOTHING showed so it could be a virus or it could be a bad episode of colitis brought on by a virus ( Bril and Sil had one while we were visiting ! ) . DH is insisting he is going to work tomorrow so I may actually get to sit at my scrap table and play ! Or I might just play on the computer . Lisa has just uploaded some awesome stuff on her site at www.lisasscrapshack.com..... good thing I didn't spend all the money on holidays ! LOL !

Happy Birthday Little Brother !

Happy birthday little brother - even if you are 42 today ! LOL ! Gosh , what does that make me then ? Much older for sure considering there are 9 yrs between us ! So in those 42 yrs life has changed so much , you came into our lives as the only brother in a family of three sisters ! You were very spoiled and very much loved . Who knew that life would change in less then 2 yrs when sister #3 passed away from a brain anurism at the age of 5 . Our family unit was never the same after but we perservered . The oldest sister got married when you were just 6 and you lost one " MOTHER " for a few years as she moved away . Then I got married a few yrs later and moved away - far away - but we reconnected as we moved within 10 miles of one another when you became a teenager . You were there when my youngest was born and were the best babysitter a person could ask for - when you were available . Then we moved again - far away - but the contact was still there . Fortunately you made a life change as in moving away from our hometown and having Older sister #1 " Mother " you again ! You have got married , had two wonderful boys and then this year your life changed dramatically again . For the first time in 20 yrs you are again ' single ' and your life is about to change yet again . I am so happy that we are close though and that my shoulders are broad . We have connected as friends as well as siblings . You will always be my baby brother and I wish nothing but happiness for you ... move forward with your head high and know even though I am not in close distance , I am only a phone call away and a plane ride away . Happy birthday little brother , I love you ...............

Another trip over .... and another " bump "

DH & I got home last evening after spending the day flying home from 10 days with his brother and sister-in-law . While there they both came down with a " bug " though BrIL said it was food poisoning ... whatever ! At least DH & I managed to stay away from the " bug " . Bril should have found out whether he has cancer in his hip last week but because of the long weekend the results will be delayed until this week ! The waiting and the stress has been hard on everybody concerned so we were glad to be there and help take their minds off it - however briefly that was . Although BriL wasn't supposed to be travelling , he and Dh managed a 2 evening trip to the hunting shack . They didn't get any alone time as Bril had a friend out there but they did do the " looking at wildlife " thing ! LOL ! When they got back then after a day of recouperating from the " bug " we all piled in the car and made a 48 hr trip to the States for some power shopping ! Dh & Bril hit the sport stores and DH managed to drop a few good $s on hunting pants for the boys and another set of binoculars for himself ( what is that all about ? He has a half dozen pair of them now ! ). I did get in on a few sales but nothing that kept telling me I really need it for scrapping ! That sucks ! I did get some ribbon at Target for a a buck though ! We came back across the boarder with less then we were allowed to bring back and money in the pocket ! Once we got back to Bril then we sat for a couple of days and did nothing ! BORING ! But finally SIl and I just caught the city bus and did some shopping . Still nothing too exciting - she isn't a scrapper and isn't interested in it at all .Even though I didn't think we had done a LOT of shopping , it was a good thing I had tucked in an soft travel bag as it was full ! Last night it was great to crawl into my own bed to sleep ..... only to be woke up by DH at 3:30 as he was in pain . His colitis has kicked into full gear with the crappy diet we had over over the past 10 days , too much eating out , too much fat and not enough stress ! DH didn't go to work today ( and that is RARE for him to stay home ). He slept for most of the day so hopefully tomorrow will bring good news from Bril and DH will settle down .......... it's just another " bump " ............

My friend Lisa

My friend Lisa has set up the most amazing online scrap store at www.lisasscrapshack.com . I can't begin to tell you how much trouble I am going to be in because of this amazing site . Lisa has a real " eye " for the newest products on the market and she is so quick at getting them uploaded ASAP after receiving them . Cosmo Cricket , Chatterbox , Scenic Route , Bazzill and and amazing storage system made right here in Canada in Abbotsford , BC !And her dilivery time is 2 days from Salmon Arm , BC by Canada Post ! Let me see now , that makes 3 online stores that I really frequent , www.scrapbooking.ca ( R & R Scrapbooking out of Edmonton and the first " store " I had ever shopped with , awesome products and Rhea is a sweetheart to deal with ! ) and www.scrapbookingswede.com out of Lake Country ( also know as Winfield to us that were raised in the Okanagan ! LOL ! ) Angelique started her online store and then expanded into a storefront .... some day I am going to get there and crop in her store so i can meet her and all the online lladies that I have been chatting with for almost 2 yrs ! As I said , I am in so much trouble ....... and that is without the Stampin'Up stuff from Krista and the CTMH stuff from Corry......... LOL ! I think we are outgrowing our house ..................

My cards

cards , cards and more cards !

This past week has been a flurry of pattered paper , cardstock , embellishments and adhesive . The ink stained hands are always a good indication that I have had the stamps out - again ! I refuse to pay $3 or more $s for a store bought card but think nothing of spending BIG bucks on these little treats ! But they come from me , from my heart ( and K's bank account ! ) so I guess that is all that matters !From the start of August , until January is just one birthday and anniversary after another ! So I guess I will just have more ink stained fingers for awhile yet . And on that note , my parents will be married 55 years next week ! My gosh , how did they get old enough to be married that long ! Somebody aught to give them a medal for that as they have lived through so much in those 55 yrs together ! And yes , I did make them a card which will be sent off tomorrrow ..... It was made with much love for them and I hope I get to make many more for them !

I created a Slide Show! Check it out!

The Maple Leaf forever

Every Canadian should have Maple tree ! Okay , maybe not every one as then they would seed all over but they are so pretty ! This one is in our back yard and some day will shade the back deck and the back of the house . It stands about 5 ft. tall right now . We brought it home from our DD's yard last year and it was a pretty scrawny , leafless twig about 3 ft. high ! it must like where it is planted . I think of my 2 granndaughters D & L when I look at it ! It is growing as fast as they are !

All the pretty flowers

This is my large planter . It was just put together with somethings out of cheap , small planter . Has grown and filled out beautifully though !
These are tiger pansies that I started in a small planter . The seeds came from my sister's basket last fall and this is the only Tiger pansy I got ! The pansies were beautiful though and they went on holidays with us as I didn't want to miss them blooming !


This is an iron planter that my brother and his family gave me for my birtday last year ! It is just beautiful this year and the flowers have just about covered the whole front of it since this picture was taken !

Smell the flowers

Come smell my flowers ! I love all the vibrant colors this year in my planters ! Brightens up my life and brings a smile to my face ! If you click the flower , it will become larger ( I hope ) and you will see a fly likes my flowers too ! These are may day lilies .

Get your ducks in a row !

It's an old saying but it works so well ! These ducks every day would get on this log and just sit there , first thing in the morning and last thing at night ! Was just too funny !

Rain , rain go away !

Just another photo to bore you with being I can't pull it out of my purse to show you ! LOL ! This is what the sky looked like one evening BEFORE it opened up ! There is something about camping , rain and us ! I used to have a good friend ( she's passed on to the great Camp ! ) that used to joke that if we were going camping , they wouldn't as it ALWAYS rained for us !

Takysie Lake

Just a few photos of our favorite camping spot !

HOME AGAIN , HOME AGAIN !

After 15 nights of camping , fishing , sunning and getting rained on , we are home again after a much needed holiday ! Of course the weatherman was very fickle and we got rain ( not predicted when we left here with + 30 weather ) . At 5 am the 4th morning we are outside trying to wrestle our awning down in the rain and wind . After losing an awning last year to too much rain , we do not tempt Mother Nature ! Fortunately the winds only lasted part of the day and by noon it was out again - with a good slope on it so the rain could run off it - the joy the the motor home allows for with the height difference as upposed to the trailer . Never got one puddle of rain water on it in all the time it rained ! Thank heavens for the awning just so we could sit under in during a few cloud bursts ! Fortunately a little nasty weather doesn't dampen our camping - yeah we really roughed it this year in the motorhome ! Even watched 2 movies on the nights it was pouring out ! Now that is unheard of for us - we must be getting old ! LOL ! The only trouble with the MH was we were pretty well stuck where we were for the 2 weeks as it is a prize pain to go anywhere - everything has to be moved out from under the MH , the awning has to go back up , the slideout has to be brought in and everything that is on the counters has to be put away .... NO , we just stayed where we were ! Did pretty good in the grocery department - though we did start craving some fresh veggies ( see I told you we are getting old ! ) but fortunately the campground has the greatest little cafe with it and we managed a few ( okay a LOT ! ) of meals at it ! Hey , I was on holidays too ! Fresh homemade soup and pies , great cobb salad and french fries to die for !!!
And the fishing was excellent although we practise catch and release so only kept 3 rainbow trout to eat for supper one evening ! And I caught the biggest fish I have ever caught ! A 2-2.5 lb rainbow trout caught on a sinking line with a wet fly on a fly rod ! Great fun - but the camera was on the table of the MH so I have no proof although DH had to take it off the hook for me ! I ain't touching those slimy , wiggly things ! We even had a bald eagle come right down to the water beside the boat to grab a fish that DH had put back in - and yes the camera was in the MH !
Youngest DS showed up Thursday morning for a couple of days of tenting andto go fishing - so he entertained DH while I suffered through a " bad bug " that DH had for a few days previous ! Then we had friends show up yesterday afternoon to camp with us but DH ( & I ) had made up our minds to come home today .They stayed out there today . For some strange reason even when you are on holidays , it seems the the laundry just keeps piling up ! Tomorrow is a holiday here so DH wouldn't be at work but will be giving the MH a much need scrubbing on the outside and I will be doing laundry ........................................Welcome HOME !

Bump , bump , bump

That is me hauling stuff down the driveway to load the MH ! Yes , it arrived back yesterday - 4 hrs late but it is here ! So now the bed is made , the laundry is partly put back in ( and YES even when you camp the laundry does pile up along with the dirty dishes ! No room for the housework fairy ! ) , new Cd's loaded in the CD changer ( okay Carly Simon you are getting really old - FAST ! ) with some Caroline Dawn Johnson , SheDaisy and my men Toby and Tim ! LOVE MY TUNES !
The Mh has a new awning ( a foot shorter then it was supposed to be but it interfered with the storage doors ! NUTS ! ) , the antenna is new - and will probably NEVER get used ! , the water pump is supposed to be quiet - instead of shaking the MH like a milk shake and the air bag in the back is NOT fixed !!!! They had to order parts for it that I think will be coming over on a slow boat from China if the last " fixes " are any indication ! Yes , this is a brand new motorhome and the manufacturer is going to get a LONG , unhappy letter about the service and the quality ! Hopefully everything that can go wrong , has !!!
DH got the 12' aluminum boat loaded on the boat trailer thanks to #1 son . Now DH is complaining because he has no room to store anything here......... Do you think maybe that means he has to many toys ? I wonder what the fall or spring will bring ... a different house , less toys , more toys , another dog ............ LOL ! Why are MEN NEVER happy ? Tonight we will pack the boat with all the fishing stuff and tomorrow I will get some food to put in the fridge and some REFRESHMENT for Dh !!! Saturday morning ( this changes hourly ! ) we will be out of here - after DH overthinks how he is going to get the boat trailer out of the garage , down the driveway which is a bit steep and onto the the back of the MH when our neighbor has his 37' MH overlapping OUR driveway !!! Men , they always make a mountain out of a molehill ! All I am worried about is getting the City to pick my garbage up tomorrow with 2 MH's parked to close together - ahh, the joys of the new automated garbage trucks ! Just what I need , my garbage NOT to get picked up for 3 weeks ! YUCKKKKKK !
Time to go bump , bump ,bump ..........

Life moves on with just another bump !

Gosh , I am usually an optomistic person but lately it seems to be just one thing after the other ! How can a person stay smiling with everything going on . Hopefully today things will brighten - at least if the sun would shine it would help ! We have had rain , rain and more rain in the past week . Everything is soggy and wet ! Thought this was supposed to summer ! The forecast is for sun and heat by next week and I am sure if that happens we will be complaining it is too hot !!! But with all the rain it means the campfire ban will be lifted and we will be able to enjoy our evening coffee around the campfire after an evening fish ! Holidays start on Saturday and if all goes well then we will be out of here Saturday afternnon ..... that is if the motorhome gets back from the service department after they have had it for 2 weeks today !!! All they had to do was replace the crappy awning they sold us with it and fix the antenna crank that fell apart in my hand the first time we tried putting it up ! Plus the air bag that wouldn't hold air ............ just a few things that have gone wrong !! Needless to say , the motor home is NOT back yet and although they promised it for today I am NOT holding my breath ! Heck with the way things are going it may be here by Saturday !!!!
Just one more tiny bump ......

Sad day

Today my Dh had to make a very hard decision . He had to decide what was best for our cocker spaniel Buddy . Buddy has now gone to Doggie Heaven , hopefully no longer in pain and chasing squirrels !
Kandi will miss you as who will she lean on a and Tigger will miss you as he wouldn't have you to torment , because that is what cat's do best ! And we will miss you as you were our Best Buddy !

I need sanity , therefore I scrapbook

A number of years ago my DD introduced me to scrapbboking . Well a few albums later and a few dollars less in the bank ( thanks to DH for kindly giving me access to it - only he doesn't know how much !!!!! ) I now have a Crap Room ( as DH likes to refer to it as ! ) . What used to be a spare bedroom has been taken over over by my stash of goodies , paper , patterned paper , ribbon , embellishments , containers , racks , two dog kennels , my computer and all my magazines and novels that I read when I need a break ! So what to I do will all this stuff besides add to my containers you may ask ? Well this is my sanity ! I create layouts to put in albums that someday my kids can all fight over when I am gone ! I am sure each one of them will want them ! LOL ! And I will just watch over them smiling , thinking life is good if they are still fighting over something ! Hey at least that means they are still communicating ! LOL ! And if I am not creating a layout ( I will never be famous for doing this nor do I want to be ! LOL ) , I am creating my personal greeting cards ! I would love to be famous for them but that means I would actually have to try submitting something somewhere ! Only in my dreams I guess !

This is our Buddy . He is my DHs pet though he was actually a gift to me from Dh & J . Two days later we went and got Kandi , his sister . I haven't scrapped her page yet but I felt that Buddy needed to be done for I don't think he is going to be with us much longer . This morning he couldn't even get mobile until he was lifted onto his feet ......... and this is why I scrapbook , memories , tears and sanity.............................................

I always knew my youngest wasn't all there !!!!!

Seems that we always knew the youngest son wasn't all there ! LOL ! And fianlly a Dr confirmed it , only it isn't what you are thinking ! J. has been having terrible back pains as of late ( to go with all the other aches the boy has ! ) so finally after threatening him and then the Dr phoning him about a back Xray that he had had , J. made the trip down to see the Dr. Seems he has a condition known as Lumboscral Hemivertebrae ( that is a mouthful ! ) which in my terms means he isn't all there - well one of his vertebae ( #4 I think ) is missing half . Instead of rectangular it is triangular . If it move or rotates to far , it causes pain as the pointed section rubs on the next vertebrae ( or something to that effect ! ) Actually it is very rare for this to happen and is a birth defect . From what I read , it is prevalent in Dwarfism and animals . Boston Terriers and Yorkshire Terriers are prone to this !!!! Okay , no comments fronm the peanut gallery now !!! LOL ! For now , he has to just put up with the misery until he has a CT scan to rule out any other trouble there . Advil is the only pain meds recommended .
Just one move string of things this fellow has ! All his life ( all 26 yrs of it ) he has had one thing after the other . Started when he was 10 days and kept on - from tonsils and adnoids removed when he was 3 after being a pucky baby for 3 yrs ! YUCK !!! To breaking his leg , arm , wrist , fingers , tooth ( after the handle bars of his bike broke and he went over face first on the pavement ! ) - he was our walking wounded at all times ! Did I miss anything ? ........ Oh yeah and all the choking on food over the years . One Christmas dinner ended abruptly with DH rushing J to the ER because a piece of turkey got lodged in his throat ! That lead to a number of throat scopes to find out that his stomach and his esophogus don't connect properly with his stomach ( see I told you he wasn't put together properly ! ) . Damage has been done from all the ' pucking ' - much like an anorexic suffers . This has been treated with meds for 2 yrs and finallyy after being so skinny ( 110 lbs at 5'8 " ) he has filled out considerable . He is a good cook - or maybe the beer he drinks has added to the weight ! LOL ! This can be fixed by surgery but he is chicken and the recovery time is much to long for him - he says !
So for now , this is just one more bump in the road ......

A couple more bumps in the road....

It seems I am not very computer literate ! In fact , I am a complete idiot where it comes to this thing ! After fooling around with my Blog I think I may finally have it figured it out ! Only took me two months though ! LOl ! Nothing smart about this gal ! Now if it was only as easy as scrapbooking - but then I had to teach myself how to do that ! I have discovered that life is nothing but comedy of errors - more errors in order to get things right ! Whatever right may be !! So I am going to plunge start into this and start really blogging !
Summer was here in the beautiful North but dear old Mother Nature has decided to rain on our parade ! Approximately 25 mm has been accummulated in our rain collector in less then 24 hrs and it is still raining - sporatically now but it is still coming down ! Was a good weekend not to go camping it seems ! Next weekend for sure as it will be 2 weeks at the lake to relax and fish ! Boy do we need to get away ! Just too much stress happening here with Dh's Br having health problems , Dh's colitis is kicking into full gear and #2 son off to the Dr because he has a back problem they want to see him about tomorrow . That means he is back in our house for the weekend ( why do I bother changing that bed when he is home more then he is away LOL ! ) . This is scary as he already has a few major health issues and was just finally getting his life together with a great job , a transfer to another town futher north at the end of the month and a new apartment to look forward too !
Definately we need a holiday !!!
Our Buddy is so lame with his knee and do we put the BIG bucks into having an operation that may or may not help him . He is only 10 and Dh's dog ............
Just another bump in the road