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I'm a Freak

OK, so that statement could be taken in so many ways. We all know I am a freak. But I have a new freak title......I'm a.....SKETCHAPALOOZA FREAK!

I just finished the Sketchapalooza 2 class over at Feeling Scrappy. I am so sad this class is over. The women there are so talented, so creative and the friendliest bunch - I wish I could meet them in person! Good news is....there is a Sketchapalooza 3. Bad news is.....I have to wait until March!!! LOL. So until then, I will just keep working on it. I freaked over sketches before, not really getting them. Now, I love them. LalalaLOVE them. My scrapping style has changed so much over this past year and I give credit to Jayne and her team, my creative friends Cyndi and Lee who are always telling me to try something new and step outside the box and all of my blog friends who share their creations with me (Kari Ann, Amy, Becky, Stacey, Megan, Trudy - so many of you!)

Here are some layouts that I created in this class.

For Brynn

Here you go Brynn! My ugly Mitties!

Now, they worked perfectly when I was using them to cheer on my Ry-Ry. And I have to say they are friggin warm - they're just....ugly!

Gratitude - My Mitts!!

Holy Frig, it is COLD out this morning!!
I had to go out to warm up the car because it was covered in FROST! My hands seized they were so cold! I had to go back in and look for a pair of mitties. They are not the most attractive mitts. I actually bought them when my nephew was playing football last year because they were his school colours and they look like pom-poms! But hey, they are warm.

So today my gratitude goes to my ever so tacky, yet warm mitties.
I really should take a pic of them so you can see how tacky.

Gratitude - Choice because of a Friend

As many of you know, I lalalaLOVE scrapbooking. I started out a few years ago with a Creative Memories class and I was HOOKED! I eventually joined as a consultant, mainly to save money so I didnt have to pay retail, but also because I stood by the products. And I still stand by them. So, for the past 6 plus years, I did not look at another companies coversets or pages. I didn't need too as I have ALWAYS said that I will NEVER EVER use a different kind of album for my scrapbooking.

Can you sense that I am about to eat my words??

It took a visit to my good friend Lee's house. Have I ever mentioned that she is just as big an enabler as Cyn (have you seen this? or this?), Jayne (Stickles) and Becky (Threading Water Tool)??

I asked Lee a question about Close to my Heart albums. They are completely different from CM albums. I didn't get the postbound, or the top loading, or the fact that you don't work on pages. Lee gives me the sales pitch on the albums, the features, what she likes, how they work, the benefits and next thing you know - PLUNK - in my arms are 2 CTMH albums and the page sleeve thingys (I'll eventually learn what they are called). Just like that she gifted them to me. I tried to say no, but Lee would have none of it. She wanted me to try them as she thought I would really like them. I think Lee also knew that I would not fork out the dough to just try something. She is beyond generous.

Fast foward 2 months - I am enrolled in a fantastic class thru Feeling Scrappy and I have been using the CTMH albums to keep the layouts in since I am scrapping out of order. And you know what?? I LOVE THE ALBUMS!!!!

Munch, munch, chew, chew - thats me eating my words :)

Now don't get me wrong, I still love my CM albums, but now I have CHOICE!! All thanks to Lee!
There are so many scrapbooking "things" out there and I am not always open to trying them. I am learning! It's nice to have enabler friends ;) Thanks again Lee.

I also have to mention, that this is not the first time I have been a recipient of Lee's generousity. And I am not just speaking of the huge box of scrapbook supplies I have received. I am talking about the gift of her friendship. Lee does not bat an eyelash to help someone out, willing to do over and above, always supportive, always encouraging. I know she has given so much more - and she does it without rules or exceptions! Lee expects nothing in return. And sadly, there are some people who just don't appreciate her generousity, even when they have been the lucky recipient. The fact that someone could say anything negative about Lee is just so foreign to me. In fact, they are not worth the words in my blog.

So, my gratitude to Lee for shedding the light on choice, being an enabler and a fantastic friend!

Keeping it REAL Award

Marie Antoinette Award

"The Real Person Award"

My very good friend Lee, has given me the "Real Person Award"! I am quite honoured to receive this from Lee as she has to be the most REAL person I have ever known. Being real is an important quality and sometimes people just can't handle it - it's unfortunate, because I would rather have the people who can truly be real in my life.

Thank you Lee!

So without further ado . . . I will pass along the Marie Antoinette Award to.....drum roll please.......

Cyn

Jayne

Becky

Sherry

Amy

Stacey

Stacy

I check these ladies blogs each and every day or chat on MSN with them and they are unbelievably real - and other than Cyn, I haven't even met them in REAL LIFE. Funny how you can feel that way about someone who essentially lives in your computer ;)

The award also goes to anyone else who wishes to grab it up and pass it on.
(The rules for this award are to display the icon, and pass it along to seven (7) other bloggers that you feel are real in who they are. )

Be real!

Gratitude - Nov 13th

I have some friends who are not able to be with their significant others everyday due to various reasons - living out of state, serving in the Canadian/American Armed Forces, attending to a sick relative out of town - and I feel for them.
For the last couple of weeks, Sean has been working on nights. If I did not work from home, I would only see him on weekends. That would drive me nuts. I don't know how my friends do it, but I commend them on their strength.
So today, I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to work at home and see my husband everyday :)

Gratitude - Nov 12th

Yesterday, the Daddy of Jonah's little girlfriend Olivia (who lives in England) popped by since he was in Canada for work. He dropped by to deliver a package from Olivias mom Tess. It was full of treats for Jonah, but also for ME!!

Do you remember these candies? JELLY TOTS!!!!

I used to eat these all the time as a kid and also when I was pregnant with Jonah. I absolutely love them! Sadly, they dont sell them in Canada anymore :( But they are sold in the UK!

So there was lots of Jellytots in my goodie bag. I am eating some right now as I type this.

So my thanks today are for my very good friend Tess - who I miss terribly - and her handsome hubby Barry who took time out of his scheduled to bring us the goodie bag.

Thank you so much! MUAH!

Gratitude - Nov 11th

Today I am thankful for all the men and women who fought and died for our freedom.
It is not a holiday here in Canada, but it should be. But I am happy that they are still doing assemblies at schools to teach children about the history and respect. I remember participating in those assemblies and hope they never end.

Feeling Scrappy Challenge

This is a layout I did for the Feeling Scrappy Challenge. Check out the details here.

I am dabbling in digital to give it a try, but I think I will always love the hands on aspect of traditional. Unless of course Tracy can share some of her talent with me! LOL.

Wish me luck! The prize is a free feeling scrappy class in January!

Gratitude - Nov 10th

My Gratitude for today is simple.....US.

Gratitude - Nov 9th

Today, I am giving my love to TEA!! As some of you know, I am a huge tea fan. Can't live without it. Actually, both my husband and I are huge tea fans. I used to drink about 15 cups a day (no wonder I had the shakes often!), but my doctor told me I HAVE to cut down. I am doing a lot better. I have between 3-5 a day. LOVE MY TEA!!

And it can't be just any tea......it HAS to be Tetley Tea.

Now, I am going to have some tea!!

Have a great day!!

For my mom :)

Gratitude - Nov 8th

Today is going to be a difficult day as we are going to see Seans parents who we haven't talked to in 6 years. They have never met Jonah. I dont know how today will turn out, but I am trying to stay positive.
So today, I am very thankful for my parents. I could not imagine not having them in life.

Gratitude - Nov 7th

Today - well, not just today - EVERYDAY I am thankful for my family. They are always supportive, full of love and a part of my everyday being. Here is a picture of us from Thanksgiving of this year.

My thanks to Pain Relievers!

Today, I am thankful for the pain relief medications that we have available to us! LOL. I am so not kidding!!!

Yesterday I went to the gym - did I tell you I joined a gym - anyway, I went to do a workout, a real workout. The kind where you feel like you couldn't possibly sweat anymore and you feel like throwing up. I went with my cousins Pam and Sarah so they could show me some machines. Sarah introduced me to a machine called Hammer Strength or something like that. I think I did 5 reps only! It nearly killed me. I felt like I was hit by a hammer. I assume that is where the name is from! I'm rambling, I know.....anyway this morning when I woke up.....my body and I were NOT friends. I did not like stairs today, lifting, pulling, didn't like moving at all actually. So, I took a pain reliever earlier and also a muscle relaxant. I am starting to feel better. No pain, no gain, right?

Friday morning, I am going back and will keep on pushing.

Wish me luck!

Gratitude - Nov 5th

Today I am thankful that things are going to pick up for my American friends now that Obama will be president! I am beyond excited. I had stayed up to watch the results and I bawled my eyes out. History was made yesterday. I am still speechless about it........

Rock the Vote

Today my US friends are FINALLY ready to go to the polls. Man that is one long campaign. But I have been following it as if I live in the US. I feel the emotions, I feel the needs, I am waiting to hear the final results, hoping that it will be the best choice for my american friends.

I blogged a while ago about the horrible turnout we had for our election. So I am imploring my friends, get out and vote. Take that time, it is important for your country, your well being.

Rock the vote!! Whichever way you are voting, I hope it is the right choice for you.

And I know that whatever the result is, it will be an emotional one. If Barack wins, I will cry. If Mc Cain wins, I will cry. Both for completely different reasons, but still, I know I will cry.

Thinking of my friends today.....please vote and make a difference, have your say. It's important.

Cyn M - Nov 4th

Today's Daily gratitude goes to my friend Cyn.

It never fails that Cyn can make me laugh OUT LOUD while we are chatting on MSN or on the phone. And even though she wasn't aware of my miserable mood, she definately lifted it up. This has happened twice in a matter of days. I just love her for it.

Cyn is a Canadian gal who is living in Georgia. And boy, do I wish that she still lived here! But at least I get to see her in December along with Lee! And thankfully, we still have the means to communicate and feel like we are with each other. Phone, Internet, Webcams - thank goodness for technology!

December 23rd can't come soon enough! I love ya Cyn!

My Gratitude - Nov 3rd

A virtual friend of mine, Sherry has posted a gratitude challenge on her blog. With having quite a few ups and downs lately, I thought this was a perfect challenge to take on. We should ALL do it!

So today, I want to express my gratitude to my cousin-in-law, my very good friend Lianne. We had a wonderful dinner last night and very open conversation. I love that we can talk about anything, express our views, give advice without ever feeling negative about the situation. It is open, honest, full of love and always, best interests at heart when having these frank conversations. I greatly appreciate this true relationship.

Thanks for a great night Lianne! Love you!

Trick or Treat!

Jonah was beyond excited for Hallowe'en. He was bounding around everywhere like he had already gorfed all his candy! Many times we had to tell him to calm down, trick or treat time will be here soon.

We picked him up from school and took him out for lunch. Then home to decorate and carve the pumpkins. The weather could not have been better!

Jonah asked me to dress with him and Daddy so it was a family affair! We went trick or treating with Auntie Bun and Haley and also met up with Tricia, Mark and their boys Jayden and Joshua.

Here are some photos of our day!