Hallowe'en at Shelter Valley Campground

Spent yesterday celebrating Hallowe'en a little early. The Dog Whisperer and the Clampitt family even made an appearance. Everyone had fun. Thanks Karen and Carol for the invitation.

Kally approved Guest Room

Aaron and Jenna transformed my landlord beige craftroom into a grass green oasis for guests to stay in. Kally approves the transformation and so do I. Thanks guys for all your hard work. The room is beautiful! Just need to add the brown embroidered sheer valance and it will be complete.

I'm dreaming of a new scrapbook room

I'm dreaming of a new scrapbook room,

just like the one I saw in magazines.

With white shelving units and wire paper racks

to hold my multitude of stuff.

Aaron and Jenna are keeping me true to my word. After dinner we went to buy a dryer and a new upright freezer (to make room in the new scrapbook room for our things.) Can't afford to start from scratch so they helped me move most of my white shelving units down. Still need to move the computer desk, table, and wire paper racks down but will leave that til tomorrow. Its already after 10 pm.

The room is a little bigger and a different configuration so we will be able to have more than one person sit at the table to work. Just have to pick up an area carpet to keep our toes warm and we will be happy.

Already have the bedding for the bunk beds that are going in the old scrapbook room and will pick up a can of paint tomorrow so we can paint on the weekend and get the spare bedroom ready for guests on Friday. My dryer and freezer will be delivered then too so I be a happy girl.

Arthur says if I spend more time down there he will spend more time working in the tool room to reclaim the floor. Then I will really be able to do a happy dance.

Proud moments

Aaron graduated from grade 8 with the computer and technology award, a citizenship and an academic award. It was nice Oma, Opa, Granny, Aunt Annemarie and Aunt Carol were able to join in the celebration.

Photos by the bridge

For our photography class we met by the bridge. Of course chosing one of the longest nights of the year to take night shots had us waiting until almost 10 for it to be dark enough to use the bulb setting on the cameras.

Strathroy Turkeyfest 2010

We just returned from the Strathroy Turkeyfest. Jenna found some friends and had a blast with her ride all evening wrist band. I was playing with my camera and got some fun shots.

Lazy Sunday afternoon

Just spent the morning at the 1st Strathroy Swim Up Ceremony and have returned home without my boys. They are busy doing "guy" things together. At home, I have lots I could be doing but I'm spending some time on this lazy Sunday afternoon watching old movies. I caught the last few minutes of the Wedding Singer and a little over half of You've Got Mail.

Back from class trip

Aaron returned from his 4 day class trip to Celtic Sports and Leadership camp and had so much to talk about. He thoroughly enjoyed his time with his classmates.

Going to simplify my life

I have not made a card or scrapbooked in so long. My craftroom is so full of wonderful supplies I have collected along the way but cannot even find my workspace. I am starting to feel guilty if I even think of shopping for more supplies. It is for this reason, I have decided to simplify my life and step down as a Stampin Up Demonstrator. I have met some extremely friendly and creative people on my journey of working in the scrapbook and stamping industry. In fact everywhere I go if I know someone, my daughter says, "Don't tell me, you know them through scrapbooking". To these people I say thank you. I'd also like to thank my customers, you know who you are, for your continued support.
By doing this I hope to relieve some of the self imposed pressure and get back to the real reason I started scrapbooking when my son, Aaron was born 14 years ago. Creating with paper keeps me sane. At the end of the day if I have created something, I have a tangible measure of the success of my day.

Mother's Day Gifts

I bought a tutorial a couple of years ago and at a day long crop Jenna and I both made one to give to my Mom and my Mother-in-law for Mother's day. We made cards using a different stamp set than Becky did to go inside. If you'd like to make your own, I highly recommend Becky Robert's tutorial.

http://inkingidaho.blogspot.com/2010/03/tote-ally-awesome-tote.html

Happy Mother's Day

The spring Fairie has arrived at our house

Hopefully she will help them grow too.

Kally at play

Kally was on the prowl but took some time out to roll in the gutter and then back to the hunt

Spring

Aaron was playing with the camera and with a little cropping got this shot. The tulip photo is uncropped.

Caught in the act

Caught our kitty washing her paw in her favourite place to hang out. Love the new camera.

Happy Birthday Mom

Just wanted to wish a very special Mom a Happy Birthday. Thanks Mom for all you do and thanks for being you. We all love very much. Aaron, Jenna, Arthur and Gerrie

They are raising the roof.

Arthur's sister Carol and her husband are raising the roof literally. Work is under way to make their storey and a half home into a 2 storey one. We drove by yesterday and Aaron used the new camera in sports mode to take lots of shots. Here is just one.

Never thought of myself as much of a Rebel

Never thought of myself as much of a Rebel but now I own a Canon EOS Rebel XS 10.1MP DSLR Camera. I traded in my point and shoot digital and received an extra $50 off the sale price.
The deciding factor was not being able to get any pictures of Jenna's skating carnival with my other digital. It kept saying change the batteries, because the battery door was not closing properly. I had already investigated having it repaired but it would cost $100 just to look at it.
I looked at the point and shoot cameras and then found the Rebel on sale so decided to go for it.
Now I have an excuse and the time with my new job, to take a photography course I always wanted to take.

Easter treats

We looked in the states for some different Easter treats and found Kit Kats with bunny ears on them, and Snickers, Milky Way and York Peppermint Patties wrapped in pastel coloured foil.

They looked good enough to eat on our Easter treat tray we took to a family Easter party.

It was much more fun to put together than our traditional tray of secret recipe brownies.

Kaleidascope of colour

Outside one of the shops in Frankenmuth we found a Kaleidascope. Turn the floral basket and look through the lens. It was pretty amazing to see. Aaron thought these would make wonderful placemats if we would laminate prints.

What a glorious weekend

The weather was perfect and we had 4 days to spend time together. Who could ask for anything more? Here are just a few pics of our time in Frankenmuth.

Happy Easter

The turkey is cooked, gravy made and a candy display ready to go to Granny's for Easter. Now its up to Arthur to carve the turkey and we can be on our way. Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Easter

Off to Frankenmuth for the weekend

Arthur and the kids are meeting me in Sarnia after work and we are off to spend a couple of days in Frankenmuth. Can't wait to share this pretty town with the kids.

Happy Friday!

By working 1/2 hour a day extra for the last 3 weeks I have earned my first Happy Friday off!

Not sure yet what I am going to do but sure is nice to be able to have a day for myself. I think I'll stay home for the morning (kids want to come home for lunch) and then get a manicure and pedicure in the afternoon. Sounds like a plan to me.

Spring cleaning

In my old job we did a lot of cleaning with bleach and try as I might I could not keep the bleach off my clothes. For my new job I replaced the majority of my wardrobe so in order to hang my new things I had to get rid of my old things. A couple of bags for the garbage, several bags of things I haven't worn in years. Now the closet door closes. Feels good.

Got a computer problem? Call Aaron

His cousins may a think he is a bit of a geek but when they have computer problems, who do they call.

Aaron of course: Little do they know he is actually being coached by mom. Let them think he knows all the answers.

Last night it was, I moved the computer to my bedroom and now the keyboard doesn't work. I have tried 4, What do I do.

Aaron: Try the connections. Make sure they are tight.

then he asked me "Mom could it be the driver?"

Mom said "probably not if it just worked a little while ago."

Mom told Aaron to suggest turning the computer off and then turning it back on after 10 minutes or so.

An hour later his cousin called back and said it works. How did you get so smart?

Easter treats for work

While at Shoppers Drug Mart a while ago I received a $10 bonus coupon so when I saw this container of mini eggs I just had to have it. It would look perfect on my desk at work. What a perfect way to show people I am a stamper and possibly generate some interest. When I put green mints on my desk for St. Patrick's Day, I was surprised how many people stopped to talk.

Maybe this will have the same effect. Can't hurt to spread some Easter cheer anyway!

Just took off the label and added a new one using the new punches and a favourite Easter image coloured with my almost forgotten chalks.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Have a great March Break

Its March Break and we won't be going too far. Aaron and Jenna are going to spend the week with Granny and their cousins. We'll take the opportunity next month to get away for a long weekend or so.
Hope you all have a wonderful March Break

Daylight savings time

Could this mean its really spring. Can't wait to wear my new spring work wardrobe.

Starting to get used to the new schedule

I'm starting to get used to the new schedule. Picked up dinner on the way home, took Aaron to Scouts, did groceries and shopped for a new spring jacket for Jenna, put groceries away, made Lasagna for dinner tomorrow, mended the pocket on my spring jacket, picked up Aaron and still had time to surf the net before bed. Jenna and I also listed 35 reasons I like my new job.

Love my new job so far

Love my new job so far. Even have my own office space, computer, cell phone and work to do already.