It will be over in a week !

Gosh , where has the time gone ? I can't believe that n a week Christmas will have come and gone for yet another year ! After spending hours working at my craft table , I have completed quite a few gifts ( and I am not posting photos YET ! ) , have done very little baking and did the Christmas tree myself ! Last Boxing Day DD & I hit a sale at Canadian TIREand I bught the cutest little train . I never had taken it out of the box until it was time to set it outside . Well being we had HUGE snowbanks we decided to set it on a bench inside at the front window . It is so cute and of course I could not resist giving it some passengers ...the Santa is an Anne Geddes baby that #1 Granddaughter gave me years ago for Christmas .....

So , the rest of the week will consist of me trying to get some baking done and getting ALL our parcels boxed up as we are heading to DD's for Christmas - we may need a moving truck though !SIL is working off and on through the holidays and DD really shouldn't be travelling so we will just bring Christmas to them . Oldest DS is having Christmas at his sister -in-laws's in town with his family so we will try have Christmas when we get home with them . Sometimes it is very hard when one side does not try to accommodate the rest...they were invited to join us ...but they seldom do .. Youngest Ds is going to come with us but who knows , this may be the last year for him too ..... Life is just so unpredictible when they grow up and have their own families .

So I wish each and every one of you and your families a Merry Christmas ...may the season be the best possible and may all your Dreams come true ....

Every Good girl deserves BLING !

Every good girl deserves Bling even if that girl is a dog ! I bought this CUTE daisy collar with BLING from Yvonne on LP as she was selling some stock from a pet store on EBAY . It was so cheap that I couldn't pass it up . She even has a daisy charm with rhinstone on it so now she sparkles ....but as you can see Tigger the cat is NOT impressed ... or maybe he is just jealous ! LOL ! So Santa came early to our Kandi !

Happy Birthday to my baby Girl !

Daughters are little girls that grow up to be your best friend . Happy Birthday on December 12th ! And how did you grow up to have a family of your own when it was only yesterday you were a baby yourself ?

Snow , snow and more snow

And just when you thought it may quit the City got dumped with 43 cms ( 17" ) in 36 hours - over and above what we already had ! This was the evening of December 4th when it started coming down ....But the sun is shining and our temperature has risen about 0 C so maybe some of the white stuff will melt !

I love Maxine !

my dear 70 year old aunt ( okay she is my Mom's cousin ! ) sent this and as I love Maxine , I thought everybody could use a good chuckle .

The Banister of Life As You Slide Down the Banister of Life, Remember ....... 1. Jim Baker and Jimmy Swaggert have written an impressive new book. It's called "Ministers Do More Than Lay People." 2. Transvestite: A guy who likes to eat, drink and be Mary. 3. The diffe rence between the Pope and your boss...the Pope only expects you to kiss his ring. 4. My mind works like lightning. One brilliant flash and it is gone. 5. The only time the world beats a path to your door is if you're in the bathroom. 6. I hate sex in the movies. Tried it once. The seat folded up, the drink spilled and that ice, well, it really chilled the mood. 7. It used to be only death and taxes were inevitable. Now, of course, there's shipping and handling, too. 8. A husband is someone who, after taking the trash out, gives the impression that he just cleaned the whole house. 9. My next house will have no kitchen - just vending machines and a large trash can. 10. A blonde said, "I was worried that my mechanic might try to rip me off. I was relieved when he told me all I needed was turn signal fluid." 11. I'm so depressed. My doctor refused to write me a prescription for Viagra. He said it would be like putting a new flagpole on a condemned buil d ing. 12. My neighbor was bit by a stray rabid dog. I went to see how he was and found him writing frantically on a piece of paper. I told him rabies could be treated, and he didn't have to worry about a Will. He said, "Will? What Will? I'm making a list of the people I want to bite." 13. Definition of a teenager? God's punishment for enjoying sex. 14. As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point the wrong way.

Winter Wonderland

Winter has added more white stuff over the weekend ! A good foot fell and then today we got another 6 " ! I can't believe it is only the beginning of December . We may be in for a very white winter , which means we wouldn't be rid of the snow until at least April or May ! It has been years since we have had such an early winter and for the snow to stay . Usually it melts and it is January or February before it starts accumulating . For the first time in 23 yrs . DH got stuck on the big hill coming home as 4 chip trucks hadn't chained up before attempting to come up it . He waited over an hour and a half in a lineup before the vehicles behind him cleared so he could work his way back down the hill and come up a different route home ! Oh the winter joys ! This photo is of our front at 3 pm today ! I think tomorrow DH will be going to buy a snowblower - something he always swore he would never own !

At 4 pm I was in the back of the house which is facing south and this is the sunset I saw ! Isn't it amazing ! The light pink is east and the west has a fire in the sky !

This could be us if the stinkin' snow doesn't quit !

Another from my dear Aunt ! Very appropriate as we had between 8 and 10 more inches in the past 24 hrs !

Subject: : Diary of a Snow Shoveller

This is old but still funny!

Subject: Diary of a Snow Shoveller


December 8: 6:00 PM. It started to snow. The first snow of the season
and
my wife and I took our cocktails and sat for hours by the window
watching
the huge soft flakes drift down from heaven. It looked like a Grandma
Moses
Print. So romantic, we felt like newlyweds again. I love snow!

December 9: We woke to a beautiful blanket of crystal white snow now
covering every inch of the landscape. What a fantastic sight! Can
there be a
lovelier place in the Whole World? Moving here was the best idea I've
ever had.
Shoveled for the first time in years, felt like a boy again. I did
both our driveway
and the sidewalks. This afternoon the snowplow came along and covered
up the
sidewalks and closed in the driveway, so I got to shovel again. What a
perfect life.
December 12: The sun has melted all our lovely snow, such a
disappointment.
My neighbor tells me not to worry; we'll definitely have a white
Christmas. No
snow on Christmas would be awful! Bob says we'll have so much snow by
the
end of winter that I'll never want to see snow again. I don't think
that's possible.
Bob is such a nice man, I'm glad he's our neighbor.

December 14: Snow, lovely snow! Eight more inches last night. The
temperature
dropped to -20. The cold makes everything sparkle so. The wind took my
breath
away, but I warmed up by shoveling the driveway and sidewalks. This is
the life!
The snowplow came back this afternoon and buried everything again. I
didn't realize
I would have to do quite this much shoveling, but I'll certainly get
back in shape this way.
I wish I wouldn't huff and puff so.
December 15: 20 inches forecast. Sold my van and bought a 4x4 Blazer.
Bought
snow tires for the wife's car and two extra shovels. Stocked the
freezer. The wife
wants a wood stove in case the electricity goes out. I think that's
silly. We aren't in
Alaska, after all.
December 16: Ice storm this morning. Fell on my ass on the ice in the
driveway
putting down salt. Hurt like hell. The wife laughed for an hour, which
I think was very cruel.
December 17: Still way below freezing. Roads are too icy to go
anywhere. Electricity
was off for five hours. I had to pile the blankets on to stay warm.
Nothing to do now
but stare at the wife and try not to irritate her. Guess I should've
bought a wood stove,
but won't admit it to her. God I hate it when she's right. I can't
believe I'm freezing to
death in my own living room.
December 20: Electricity's back on, but had another 14" of the damn
stuff last night.
More shoveling. Took all day. Goddamn snowplow came by twice. Tried to
find a
neighbourhood kid to shovel, but they said they're too busy playing
hockey. I think they're
lying. Called the only hardware store around to see about buying a
snow blower, and
they're out. Might have another shipment in March. I think they're
lying. Bob says I
have to shovel or the city will have it done and bill me. I think he's
lying.

December 22: Bob was right about a white Christmas, because 13 more
inches of the
white shit fell today, and it's so cold it probably won't melt 'till
August. Took me 45
minutes to get all dressed up to go out to shovel, and then I had to
piss. By the time I got
undressed, pissed and dressed again, I was too tired to shovel! Tried
to hire Bob, who
has a plow on his truck, for the rest of the winter; but he says he's
too busy. I think the
asshole is lying.
December 23: Only 2" of snow today, and it warmed up to "0". The wife
wanted me
to decorate the front of the house this morning. What, is she
nuts!!! Why didn't she tell
me to do that a month ago? She says she did, but I think she's lying.
December 24: 6". Snow packed so hard by snowplow, I broke the shovel.
Thought I was having a heart attack. If I ever catch the son-of-a-
bitch who drives that
snowplow, I'll drag him through the snow by his balls and beat him to
death with my
broken shovel. I know he hides around the corner and waits for me
finish shoveling
and then he comes down the street at a 100 miles an hour and throws
snow all over
everywhere I've just been! Tonight the wife wanted me to sing
Christmas carols with her
and open our presents, but I was too busy watching for the Goddamn
snowplow.
December 25: Merry freaking Christmas. 20 more inches of the @%$* slop
tonight.
Snowed in. The idea of shoveling makes my blood boil. God, I hate the
snow! Then the
snowplow driver came by asking for a donation and I hit him over the
head with my shovel.
The wife says I have a bad attitude. I think she's a freaking idiot.
If I have to watch "It's a
Wonderful Life" one more time, I'm going to stuff her into the
microwave.
December 26: Still snowed in. Why the hell did I ever move here?
It was all HER idea. She's really getting on my nerves.
December 27: Temperature dropped to minus 30, and the pipes froze.
Plumber came
after 14 hours of waiting for him; he only charged me $1,400 to
replace all my pipes.
December 28: Warmed up to above -50. Still snowed in.
December 29: Ten more inches. Bob says I have to shovel the roof or
it could cave in.
That's the silliest thing I ever heard. How dumb does he think I am?
December 30: Roof caved in. I beat up the snowplow driver. He is now
suing me for a
million dollars; not for only the beating I gave him, but also for
trying to shove the broken
snow shovel up his ass. The wife went home to her mother. 9" of snow
predicted tonight.
December 31: I set fire to what's left of the house. No more
shoveling.
January 8: Feel so good. I just love those little white pills they
keep giving me.
Why am I tied to the bed?

" Twas the night before Christmas ( a Mom's version )

From my DIL


> T'WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS (Moms' version)

It was the night
> before Christmas, when all thru the abode Only one creature was
> stirring, and she was cleaning the commode. The children were finally
> sleeping, all snug in their beds, while visions of Barbie and X-Box
> flipped through their heads. The dad was snoring in front of the TV,
> with a half-constructed bicycle propped on his knee.
> So only the mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter, which made her
> sigh, "Now what is the matter?!"
> With toilet bowl brush still clutched in her hand, She descended the
> stairs, and saw the old man.
> He was covered with ashes and soot which fell with a shrug, "Oh
> great," muttered the mom, "Now I have to clean the rug."
> "Ho Ho Ho!" cried Santa, "I'm glad you're awake."
> "Your gift was especially difficult to make."
> "Thanks, Santa, but all I want is time alone."
> "Exactly!" he chuckled, "So, I've made you a clone."
> "A clone?" she muttered, "What good is that?"
> "Run along, Santa, I've no time for chit chat."
> Then out walked the clone - The mother's twin, Same hair, same eyes,
> same double chin.
> "She'll cook, she'll dust, she'll mop every mess.
> You'll relax, take it easy, watch The Young and The Restless."
> "Fantastic!" the mom cheered. "My dream has come true!"
> "I'll shop, I'll read, I'll sleep a night through!"
> From the room above, the youngest did fret.
> "Mommy?! Come quickly, I'm scared and I'm wet."
> The clone replied, "I'm coming, sweetheart."
> "Hey," the mom smiled, "She sure knows her part."
> The clone changed the small one and hummed her tune, as she bundled
> the child in a blanket cocoon.
> "You're the best mommy ever. I really love you."
> The clone smiled and sighed, "And I love you, too."
> The mom frowned and said, "Sorry, Santa, no deal."
> That's MY child's LOVE she is trying to steal."
> Smiling wisely Santa said, "To me it is clear, Only one loving mother
> is needed here."
> The mom kissed her child and tucked her in bed.
> "Thank You, Santa, for clearing my head.
> I sometimes forget, it won't be very long, when they'll be too old for
> my cradle and song."
> The clock on the mantle began to chime.
> Santa whispered to the clone, "It works every time."
> With the clone by his side Santa said "Goodnight.
> Merry Christmas, dear Mom, You will be all right."
> Sometimes we need reminding of what life is all about. Especially at
> times
during the Holiday season, when all we seem to do is clean and bake and
shop and and, and, and, and, and, and....You get the picture, I'm sure.
So stop for a moment and hug that little one so special, whether he/she
is 2 years old or 20 years old....Everyone needs your hug!
> For they are the Gift that God gave us in life... and what a gift to
> be treasured, far above any other!
> Seasons greetings to all!

Busy , busy

I can't believe how much time I have spent in my she-den at my scrap table in the last month ! I feel like I should just move my kitchen fridge in here and I would be set to go ! I can honestly say I have got half way through my list of things to do . At the moment I have completed 4 birthday cards , a lot of Christmas gifts and ....oh can't say !!! LOL ! I found some glue runner that works great on altered " things " . It is call UHU glue roller and is available at Wally World . As of tonight , I have gone through 9 of these rollers in the past month and 2 UHU office glue .... that is a whole lot of sticking stuff down ! I am going to have nightmares about this glue ! I have stamped , glued , cut and colored . I have shopped for 4 birthdays and wrapped those gifts . My rooms are getting full of Christmas gifts that have to be wrapped soon as I have out of town parcels that have to get sent out soon . I don't even know when I will get the tree up or the outside light outs !
We have had such a blast of winter since Halloween . I couldn't even tell you how much snow we have as the wind has whipped around into drifts . Some spots are an inch deep and some are 3' deep . Now we are contending with the cold weather . -33 C this morning ....but not as bad as where DS lives , it was -47 C .... now that is stinkin' cold ! Fortunately the sun shone today so it appeared to be warm .... I ventured down to the mail any I can honestly say " Damn it was cold walking !!!
DH had his birthday on Sunday and our oldest son invited us for dinner - spaghetti ! Yummy , especially when I didn't have to cook ! We had gone out for lunch with some of our camping friends and had a great visit in the pub . The food was good too ! All in all DH had a great birthday . One more year closer to retirement ! !!!

Tis a month before christmas

Tis the Month Before Christmas
Tis the month before Christmas, we're all going nuts;With so much to do, there's no ifs, ands or buts.Buy presents, hang tree lights, pop cards in the mail,Send gift packs, thread popcorn, find turkeys on sale.
Decorations need stringing up all through the house.And you haven't a clue what to buy for your spouse.School concerts, receptions, open houses with friends,Long lineups, short tempers, tying up the loose ends.
With all our mad dashing, we're reeling from shock;Let's stop for a minute and really take stock.It's crassly commercial, the cynical say;If that's true, that our fault-it's us and not they.
Take time for yourself-though hard as that seems—Enjoy your kids' laughter, excitement and dreams.Take a moment out now, don't get overly riled,Instead make an angel in snow with your child.
The shortbread can wait, and so can the tree;What's important to feel is a child's sense of glee.The holidays aren't about push, rush and shove;They're for friendship and sharing and family love.
Hear the bells, feel the warmth, light up with the glowOf a message first sent to us so long ago:Peace, love and goodwill, and hope burning bright.Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
Thanks Louise for sending me this !

What I have been up too !

A layout of my new and improved scrap room . Card for DIL's Mother . First altered journal I have ever done . It was made for a friend that moved to be close to her son and his family after her DH suddenly passed away last year at age 60 .

This is the layout I have done for my nephew for Christmas ... so please don't tell him !!! LOL !

10 days but who is counting ?

I can't believe that 10 days have passed since DH went " up North " with our boys on a deer hunting trip . He will be home tomorrow already ! I think I have stagnated in my she-den and only came out to eat ! LOL ! I am happy though as I did get a couple projects done that are to be Christmas gifts . So now the next project will be to start some Christmas cards and I have birthday cards to make too ! Sheesh ! Actually , on Thursday I hit the mall by myself and and browsed for almost 3 hours ! Seems like it has been forever since I got to do that ... and I only bought a couple of things .... something must be wrong with me ! I was in a store that sells some scrapping products and the owner of the store was in there ( which is rare ) and she called me into the back room to show me all the new products she brought in for Christmas ..... great stuff but I doubt I will be buying from her as her prices are SUPER HIGH ..... she did have a couple really neat ideas though , one being a tray that you scrap the bottom of it , not something I would want but it would sure be a great gift for those hard to buy people !
I also managed to crochet one baby sweater set and one one baby afghan .... this baby will be well equipped with crocheted outfits and blankets !!! DD goes to the dr on Monday and so far so good ... only 4 more months !
Out of the 4 guys that went hunting , only 1 deer was shot . DH isn't upset as he said we never eat it regardless and DS would get it for his freezer . His wife wouldn't be happy as he never got one either ! ............He may be out in the shed sleeping tomorrrow night ! LOL !!
Guess it is back to cooking and cleaning and laundry next week ........................ YIPPY SKIPPY !!!

For those from BC

I just read this on www.scrapgalaxy.com and it was good for a chuckle !

Sat Nov 11, 2006 1:59 am Post subject: For all you BC people!

You Know You're From British Columbia When...
You know the provincial flower You consider that if it has no snow, it is not a real mountain.
You can taste the difference between Starbucks, Blendz, and Tim Horton's. You know how to pronounce Squamish, Osoyoos & Nanaimo.
You can tell the difference between Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean and Thai food.
In winter, you go to work in the dark and come home in the dark - while only working eight-hour days.
You have no concept of humidity without precipitation.
You know that Dawson Creek is a town, not a TV show.
You can point to at least two ski mountains, even if you cannot see through the cloud cover. You notice "the mountain is out" when it is a pretty day and you can actually see it.
You put on your shorts when the temperature gets above 5, but still wear your hiking boots and parka.
You switch to your sandals when it gets about 10, but keep the socks on.
You recognize the background shots in your favourite movies & TV shows.
You buy new sunglasses every year, because you can't find the old ones after such a long time. You use a down comforter in the summer.
The local hero is a pot-smoking snowboarder
The local wine doesn't taste like malt vinegar
Your $400,000 Vancouver home is 5 hours from downtown
You can throw a rock and hit three Starbucks locations
You've been to a deforestation protest
If a cop pulls you over, just offer them some of your hash
It's November, it's raining, but you're still wearing birkenstocks
You go broke just paying rent.
You don't own a heavy winter coat
You can't figure out why Manitoba is considered part of Western Canada.
You wouldn't be caught dead on Vancouver Island or Vancouver without your umbrella and plastic shoes.
You actually get these jokes and pass them on to other friends from British Columbia

Those I lift my hat too

It has been a rollercoaster ride for the past 6 months so I have decided that life is too short not to realize and recognize a few people that have touched my life in a positive way. The first is my DH , he is my rock , he is my life , my best friend and the one that drives me crazy a lot of the time ...... If you believe in soul mates then he is mine . I can't imagine life without him . He spoils me rotten ( quit laughing those of you that know me ! LOL ! ) and loves me deeply- and I him - and has for 33 years .....with many a bump along the way . It did not ' break " us , just strengthened the bond.....
MY DD for overcoming so many heartbreaks and picking herself up and moving on with life , for getting her education the hard way by correspondence and again bucking the system to get where she is today in her life ! For being the best Damn Mom and Wife there is to her sweet girls and her husband and riding the rollercoaster ride she is on with this pregnancy ... Hang tight little one it is a rocky ride ! We love you and your family ......
My boys for both doing so well in the jobs and having the abilities that their Dad instilled on them about work ethics . We are proud of you and the lives you are creating .......
My friend Lisa and my friend Patti ... both of you started out as online friends and have become so much more . Patti , it is great that you felt comfortable enough to leave your comfort zone and come visit me ! Lisa , what can I say about you except" you go girl !" I love that you are not afraid to go after your passion and run with it ! Don't forget me when you make your first millions !!! LOL !!!!
To my dear brother , you are an inspiration even though you are riding a rocky ride with your life right now . You have a " rock " to lean on through all of this and I am so thankful ...go forward and be the best you can be and hold your head up high .....remember I love you regardless..... and thankful for " your rock "
My sister In law for having the fortitude to lose close to 65 lbs and have the stamina to keep it off through all you have been through this year ..... I am so proud of you !
My parents for raising us kids with the right values and loving us regardless to the circumstances when most parents may have given up nor ever having to go through . Raising kids in the '50 , '60's and '70 was a challenge ......
My sister , whom will always be my BIG sister . She is the family glue that feeds everybody when we get together and has developed a close relationship with our parents since they moved close . Thank heavens somebody is close to them in their Golden Years and I thank you for that !
So I lift my hat to you all .............

ANOTHER DAY !

Oh , oh this is a BAD sign ! Here it is November 7th already and I haven't got any of my Christmas projects started yet ! Okay , Grandma needs to put down the crochet hook and get busy on scrapping ! LOL ! Let see , in the past 3 weeks or so I have completed 3 baby afghans and one sweater . Babies are popping out all over between now and next month ! J's daughter's Mother had a baby boy 2 weeks ago and my nephew and his wife had a baby girl last week . they called the 7 lb bundle Ellison Faith so of course she has to have a pink afghan from great Auntie ! I just need to sit and make a card so that can be shipped off . K's nephew and wife are expecting a son in December so that means a blue afghan for there ! And as for DD ..... she said if she finds out on Friday ( They don't want to know the sex ! ) she isn't telling . I will have to go shopping with her to see if she starts buying blue or pink sleepers ! LOL ! I don't care as I will buy and buy and buy ...hehe .....I'm not fussy , I just want a healthy baby there !

I spent a few days down with DD & family last week . I can't believe how fast those girls are growing up ! #2 Grd is starting to look like such a lady now with those LONG legs and fine features of her's and she wouldn't be 10 until Dec 1 ! At least she is a kid still at heart and acts like it ! #3 Grd has such a love for her baby dolls and her puppy Riley ! She takes him for a walk in her doll stroller through the house and he just sits there ! It is so funny ! SIL went into the kitchen the other night and there was Riley just sitting in the stroller .......... he had been forgot about an hour later and was still waiting for another ride ! LOL !

Gr#1 and her parents came for dinner on Sunday night . She is 11 going on 15 ! Yikes , how grown up she acts , sad as her childhood has disappeared from her so early ...... .........

Stop the world ........

It is moving WAY to fast and Christmas is less then 2 months away ! Heck , I have been home from the coast for almost a week and have accomplished nothing it seems ! Ahhhhhhhhhh !!! I had a very nice visit with my family and Mom's birthday was very nice . We are a low key family so don't go in for the decorations or anything but my sister bought a beautiful fall flower arrangement for Mom that was used as a centerpiece ! 18 of us sat down for dinner and as usual , none of my family were there ....but it is hard to get away from UP NORTH when you have kids in school and have jobs . Mom liked the frame and scrappages . The heritage pages were put into her album and she was surprised by some of the photos as she had never seen some of them nor had she ever seen the words that Grandma had written on the back of the one photo - which I had a scan of and incorporated into the layout !
The Saturday I arrived at the coast , my brother picked me up at the airport then we went to Granville Island and we spent the afternoon walking and snooping in the small shops there . It was drizzly outside ( but that is typical fall weather there ) and the inside of the buildings were very warm ! No happy medium ! )
Was so nice to spend some one on one time with him as we never get to do that ! I stayed with my sister and her husband the week I was there so got to spend a lot of time with her as well . Mom & Dad just live minutes from her so I walked a far bit while there . It is sad to see our parents aging though . Dad is so lame with his bad hip and is too stubborn to get his name on the list for his hip replacement . Mom has aged but she makes herself old too ... always negative about things and never positive - except where Cleo is concerned ! Cleo is the stray cat that they have adopted and are just pouring the money into . Mom can't seem to understand that this cat was almost feral and doesn't like to be picked up and mauled ( heck we would have been in BIG TROUBLE as kids if we would have picked our cats up as much as she picks her cat up ! LOL ) . So then cleo ends up scratching her and then Mom is annoyed at the cat !!! There neighbors must just love it when Mom opens the door and yells at the top of her lungs " CLE-----------OOOOOOOOOOOO " YIKES !!!
All in all , I enjoyed the visit with everybody . It has taken me a week to get back into the groove of being home though and now I am heading down to DD's at some point next week to give her a hand ........ but I wouldn't go into that ! I have been promising Grd #2 & #3 that I would come spend some time with them so now is the time to do it !!! LOL
Maybe I will have some time to work on all my projects sometime after that !

Leaving on a WestJet plane .....

Mom's card is done and the suitcase is more or less packed as I am leaving in the morning for a week away without DH !!! LOL ! Brother is picking me up at the airport when I get in and we will be doing Granville Island ( hope the rain holds off ! ) tomorrow . How wonderful it will be to spend 1 on 1 time with him . It has been YEARS since we did that - if ever !!! Tomorrow night I will stay with SIL and their boys and then up the valley on Sunday to see the rest of the family . Sister will be cooking dinner ( not that is any surprise as she cooks for all her family and Mom & Dad every Sunday )

Dh just phoned and he has to be away on business Monday and Tuesday so the neighbour will come in to dog sit ..... Wonder what kind of trouble Kandi can get into this time !!! Oh well they ALL will survive ( and I do mean DH too ! ) and have to learn to fend for themselves ! LOL !

So I am leaving on a WESTJET plane in the morning .......... if it isn't fogged in here - again !!!

Don't tell her about the frame !

I altered a Bazzill Wings Shadow Box to hang the four layouts I did for Mom's birthday ! This is such a nifty idea as the top lifts off for 2 hooks that the page protectors hang off with the layouts inside . I have also added the other layouts on the back of these so the whole look can be changed with just flipping the layouts around ! I am almost as excited about giving them to her as DH was urprized with how great it all came out !
The pretty prima flowers were such a perfect addition to the frame and the Cosmo Cricket Chipboard Alpas were the perfect compliment against the back frame !
Now my biggest challenge will be packing it all in my suitcase and praying the airlines done lose my suitcase ! I carry as little as possible onto a plane now as they want are so strict nowadays and there is nothing worse then having to unpack in security !!!

Shhhhhhhh.... don't tell !

My Mother's 75th birthday is next Monday so I am flyng down to coast to spend it with my family . Yes , Mom knows I am coming as I have decided that I can not shock anybody with my appearance any more - the last time I just about gave Dad , Mom and sister a heart attack and we are all at that age now you know ! LOL ! NO MORE big surprises ! What do you get somebody that has everything or buys anything she wants at this stage of the game . Well I just couldn't decide and I really don't like shopping so I decided to do some layouts for her . The pictures I used were actually supposed to be in the family album I did them a couple years ago but I just didn't get to them ! I have a double scrapbook frame by Bassill that I am going to use for 2 of these layouts and then am going to put the others in page protectors and add to her album . Soooo , if you see my Mom before I get there ..... shhhhhh , don't tell her what her birthday present is ! And now I have to get busy and alter that frame ! LOL !

And they said it wouldn't last !

Today is our wedding anniversary - 33 years to be exact ! With such a big obstacle to overcome ( namely somebody ! ) and warnings that it would NEVER last , we have sure surprized some people . Oh life has never been a bowl of cherries unless you are having sour cherries ! Sour cherries are good for making a pie though so they aren't all bad much like the past 33 years have been ! We have had some wonderful times together with our kids , with our families , with their families . Can you believe we have 4 wonderful brown-eyed granddaughters and another grandchild on the way ? Maybe this one will have blue or green eyes ! LOL !
We have travelled to Alaska on a cruise and Panama Canal as well .... all with your family and your Mother paying for the cruises . We wouldn't go into whether the cruises were good times .... just lets say , the scenery was wonderful and we can say we have been to both places . We would go back to Alaska in a heatbeat and do the trip that we want and go on some of those excursions that are offered . Our motorhome will hopefully take us to some places we would like to go to like the Kooteneys and North on the Alaska Highway or a trip down the Oregon Coast or up the Sunshine coast ( and we may actually get to see #4 Granddaughter ) of BC . It wouldn't be long before retirement .... another 7 yrs ! Maybe some day we will a lottery too ! LOL ! How sweet would that be ?
We have had some very rough patches as well . Being transferred more then once and setting up a new home when I was sure we had moved to HELL ( actually it was a city called Calgary - hey I am from a dinky little town remember and I was related to most of the residence in one way or another ! ) , back to within 10 miles of " home " only to discover that the saying " you can't go home " is so true ! Life changes and so did we ! The next transfer came after 6 yrs , another baby and a house to sell . FIL had passed away the year prior and MIL had leaned just once to often ! Youngest DS had been a sickly baby and had his tonsils out in the process of moving - can you say a stressful time ! But the move has been a good one for a the most part . Our kids have all grown up and have families of their own ( okay Youngest DS is just getting on his own two feet but he is coming along nicely ........ he is just slower at maturing ! LOL )
At lest we are still young enough to enjoy life and we have beat the odds .... do you know how shocked people are when they find out we are celebrating 33 yrs of marriage and that is with the same person and the only marriage for each of us !!! Heck , I haven't got him trained yet , I can't imagine trying to " break-in " another guy ......... I'll keep this one thanks ! Happy Anniversary .... and thanks for the pretty flowers ( and the desk and the paper tower !!! ) Am I spoiled , you BET !!! LOL !