" 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 !

Evolution of a scraproom pt 3 !!!

So Dh got tired of the mess and gave me the word . Buy a desk to hide some of this stuff ! LOL ! I went to my friend Lisa at www.lisasscrapshack.com and ordered these two awesome units from her . The desk is wonderful and has inserts that go in the drawers to devide all those little things I do love to buy !
Of course , the desk and the tower came in pieces and DH was away when they arrived . I am known not to have a lot of patience in waiting for things so I put it together myself ! It was easy !! Other then the fact I had to get the neighbour to help me lift the desk top in place !!! So I have pushed and shoved furniture , purged supplies , filled drawers and a wall unit section ( I got ride of close to 200 pocket books ! YIKES and still have 50 I haven't read ! )
The tower has been loaded and is so colorful - yes I have a paper addiction and thoose aren't even my patterned papers , they are UNDER the desk in the paper holders ! This afternoon I put the last peice of paper in the tower , put the curtains up and put some photos on my whiteboard ! Everything is in its place - just hope DH doesn't look under the bed !!! It is DONE and now it is time to start some serious scrapping and cardmaking ! The funny thing is , DH said tonight , " It is so nice to see your room so organized and clean and it will stay like this right ? " to which I replied " Yes Dear " and muttered under my breath " In your dreams !!!And only until I start creating again " .......... and the next pizza box arrives !!!!

Evolution part 2

In the past two weeks the room has been purged and gutted of supplies and furniture and a bright , sunny yellow paint was put on the walls ! Goodbye white walls ! So glad to see some color ! I have pushed and shoved the furniture around and had supplies stacked all over the house ! But a girl has to do what a girl has to do to get her room just right !

Evolution of a scraproom part one

What started out as a small hobby on my kitchen table has grown into an addiction . I started out with a small box of supplies , a cross between CM and stickers ! Well it wasn't long before my small addiction got moved to the back bedroom on a folding table and a stack of plastic drawers . Soon I had paper , patterned paper , stickers and a few other goodies thrown into the mix . The plastic drawer set wasn't big enough to control all my " stash " ! Soon it overtook the table , the computer desk the wall unit and another bigger set of drawers !

In a heartbeat ........

In a heartbeat , it holds much hope . In a heartbeat it holds much love , in a heartbeat in holds life and in a heartbeat a child ! Today DD went to the Dr and after a lot of messing around with one machine and then finally using another , a tiny heartbeat was detected . A ray of sunshine and then a lot of tears of joy for a child that is wanted so badly . She or he brings a positive light on what has been such a negative year . Grow strong little one and bring us some joy , we don't care whether you are a girl or a boy , just be healthy and stay safe in your Mother's womb until March . Besides Grandma needs another little one to crochet for ( and if you are a girl that means another pretty dress has to be crocheted so you can join the parade of my pretty girls in dresses tied with sashes ) ! Grandpa says if you are a boy he will buy you a fishing rod !!! So stay safe and warm , with our love waiting for the day when we finally get to meet you !

A birthday party we will attend .......

This is her birthday card I made her - all from 3 bugs in a rug - tickled pink collection . Except the Offray ribbon and Prima flowers , MM ribbon brad ( under the flowere )

Our oldest granddaughter had a barbeque today for her 11th birthday . Her birthday is actually not until the 26th but today was the perfect day to have a party as after a week of cold weather and rain the sun decided to shine ! Whoohoo ! She had 10 friends and DS barbequed hot dogs and hamburgers . For a birthday cake she had a scrumptious DQ ice cream cake . Now what kid choses a Canadian Flag for their birthday cake but one that is 100% ALL Canadian Girl ! Gotta love it and her !!

Everybody is going cropping .....

BUT ME it seems ! Not true I am sure but sometimes it feels like that ! For those of you that don't know what a crop is , in my words , it is a big gathering of women ( well I haven't heard of the male species actually attending one but I imagine some places that may happen ) that scrapbook and have a great gab session ! These things can run from a few hours to days ..... sounds something like a stag or stagette !!! LOL Well I have friends that are in Edmonton to attend Scrapfest and I have friends that are attending one in the Kelowna / Vernon area at Crazy Cropper's 5th Anniversary . If I would have timed things right I may have attended one of these but I didn't so here I will sit this weekend and quietly scrap at home . Actually I don't mind that as I have a lot going on right now but next year for sure !!!

a " CARD-ing " we will go....

I finally managed to get at my craft table to relax and play ! Here are some of cards I did, the first fro a " misty challenge on LP , the second is a stamped card using my Stampin'Up stamps and the third was using Prima flowers , BG Wholey Cow rub-ons , Peel-Offs and Bag of Bingz . Both the second and the third are birtday cards as we have a LOT of September birthdays in our family !