Manic Monday - #177

Monica took this picture of me in Cape Cod.

I have not been fond of having my picture taken

in the last while, but I do really like this one.

Time for another Manic Monday Meme

What is one thing that you would change about yourself if you could?
My weight. I hate it, I hate the way I look, I hate the way I feel, I hate that I am obsessed with food, particularly the unhealthy food, I hate that my will power is not stronger. Now with that said, I do know that I and only I can change this.

Name three exotic countries you would like to visit:
Ireland
Spain
France

What do you think the secret to life is?
Not sure about life in general, but the secret to a HAPPY life is finding someone to love who loves you just as much, laughing everyday, and just being your own and living the way you want to.

Friday Fill Ins - July 24th

I love this photo of my Jonah

Time for Friday Fill Ins! Leave me a comment if you particpate so I can check it out! My answers in Bold. ;o)
And...here we go!

1. I am learning that having broke my elbow is not the end of the world.

2. Sitting here, listening to the sound of rain falling, I _want to curl up in a blanket and just daydream.

3. Chocolate tastes so good!

4. Sometimes, putting others first is a sacrifice we all have to make.

5. Watching your Godchild be born is breathtaking, really.

6. Well, maybe there is another bridge for me to cross. When I get there, I will deal with it best I can!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _movie night with my boys, tomorrow my plans include getting a new scrapping area!! and Sunday, I want to see my boys (nephews) play league football!

T.G.I.F - July 24

What is your TGIF?

I am Trusting myself with decisions I am making about my health. I cannot question it anymore if I want to stay sane.

I am Grateful everyday for the most amazing man who loves me for me, even with my flaws.

I am Inspired by the girls over at Feeling Scrappy. They are always teaching me new things and their examples are so inspiring.

Friday! YAY! Hope you are enjoying your Friday!

Hand Me Downs

**catching up on my blogging. These are June events. **head down in shame**

Being a second child, I always hated the "hand-me-downs" with a passion! Why would I want USED clothes?? Now that I am a mother, I love me some hand-me-downs for my boy! LOL.
My nephews were born long before Jonah was so my sister had no reason to hold on to their clothes. None of my friends had kids before me so no hand-me-downs there either.

When returning from Cape Cod, my friend Lee said to me, "remind me to give you a bag of the boys clothes." HAND-ME-DOWNS!! YAY!

Jonah was preoccupied with running around outside with Lee's kidlets, so he had no idea what was in the bag until the next day.

Well.....you would think he won the lottery! LOL. He was so excited to be wearing clothes that Caden and Cole had worn. He felt extra cool!

One of the items was a pair of rainboots. I should mention that these boots are about 3 sizes too big for Jonah right now, but he insisted on wearing them outside. I had to take this picture.

Another item was the striped shorts. Again, extra cool for Jonah :o)
I had felt bad that I forgot to give Jonah a show and tell for school this particular day, until I spoke with his teacher. She told me that Jonah was extra excited for S&T that she let him go first. His show and tell.......Caden's shorts!! He is definately getting good wear out of them.


Thanks Lee! And thanks to Caden and Cole for making Jonah feel "so totally cool" LOL.

Remember to say it - everyday

This week I had to change my time for physiotherapy to the afternoons because I have Jonah home with me. Since he goes to gym camp in the afternoon, it helped my schedule. Plus he wouldnt have to be bored at physio with me.

I was a bit early so I had to wait in the waiting room. A elderly gentlemen beside me had dropped his cane so I leaned over to pick it up. He was not able to speak because of (well, I assume from) a stroke. It was more like moaning. I acknowledged what I assumed was a "thank you". He wrote on a piece of paper "I can't talk anymore." Instead of speaking back - I wasn't sure if it was appropriate - I wrote back "I am so very sorry" and he smiled. A few minutes passed and he was writing again. What he wrote almost brought me to tears and I am so surprised I was able to keep my composure. He wrote "I can't tell my wife I love her anymore." Thank goodness we were writing back and forth on a pad of paper because I am POSITIVE I wouldn't have been able to speak. I "said" back to him, "You can tell her everyday with your eyes and your notes." His response -"Not the same." I smiled and nodded.

The elderly gentlemen was called in for his appt as was I. We both did our physio on the opposite sides of the room. When it was time for me to go, I said my goodbyes and the elderly man waved me over. He wrote on his paper "Remember to say it EVERYDAY."

I felt so bad for this man who just wanted to say those 3 words one more time to his beloved. I walked to my car with emotions overflowing. I immediately called Sean to say those 3 little words that I know are not so little and that I know I was not saying for the first time that day. Or the last for that matter.

His message was simple but effective. How could I not share this with my blog friends.

My Late Manic Monday

OK, so I am a day late. Lets just call it Terrific Tuesday for today. :o)

When and with whom was your first kiss?

The first kiss I remember was with a boy named Kenneth Milner who lived 2 doors down from me. I was 4 years old.

If we are talking a first REAL kiss, then that was with Brad Irvin. He was the guy I thought I would marry. Up until I was 16 anyway.

Do you believe that everything happens for a reason?

Although I dont always understand why it happens, I do believe it is happening for a reason and there is a lesson for me to learn.

What would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

Well Charlene, I have waited a very, very long time for you to arrive and boy did you make the devil shake in his boots!

Hope you had a great Monday and that your Tuesday is even better!

Have You Signed Up??

Another Sketchapalooza Class is getting started TOMORROW! I am so excited. I have raved many times over Jayne's faboosh classes, but this class has to be my fave. There is still time to register, why don't you join us?

Here is what you can expect during the Sketchapalooza Class:

• A full FOUR WEEKS of class running from July 13th to August 10th
• Detailed sketches made exclusively for you by our design team
• A full 20 sketches (5 per week!)
• New this class! Digital templates for each sketch
• Challenges with prizes each week
• Several double page spread sketches and more pictures per sketch
• Plus tips and tid-bits to keep your creative juices flowing
• Fabulous creative examples for each sketch by our talented design team
• Paper and digital examples layouts for each sketch
• A private class forum with lots of support and friendly conversation
• Self paced class - do as much or as little as you would like
• A PDF file including all the sketches from class for you to keep for future reference
• Graduation crop with challenges, games and prizes
• Plus a few surprises :)

The cost for this class month long class is only $25.00. What a deal!

You can sign up by visiting the Feeling Scrappy blog: http://feelingscrappyclasses.blogspot.com/search/label/Classes

Hope to see you there!!

Things I Have Done

I found this while catching up on my blog reading over at Tricia's Treasures If you haven't visited Tricia before, please do. Her work is beautiful! I love her cards.
The rule is higlight the things you have done. Mine are in bold red.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band - if school counts!
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world/Disneyland Paris
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo - in my car and shower all the time!
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not - who hasn't??
24. Made a Snow Angel
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping - mind you now it would be chunky dunking(funnt tricia, I say that all the time!)
27. Run a Marathon---charity event for school. Now I couldn't run if my life depended on it!)
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Stood in the rim of the Grand Canyon
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an erupting volcano in person
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing - only indoor
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa - no, but my Dad would tell you he's been there many times! Family joke.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkelling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theatre
55. Gone to a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Cookies for charity
62. Gone whale watching
63. Been given flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favourite childhood toy
70. Visited Buckinham Palace
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt or blanket
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Been to the top of the Empire State Building
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

48 things! Same as you Tricia!

Why don't you copy and paste and try this for yourself on your blog. If you do it, leave me a comment so I can check it out!!

Friday Fill Ins 07.10.09

And...here we go!

1. The last thing I ate was sesame honey chicken and jasmine rice.

2. Mark and Sandras wedding gift is something I recently bought.

3. When it rains, it pours - that was the trend for me anyway.

4. Jonah was the first person I talked to today.

5. Hugs are something I could not live without.

6. I need to get a new pair of shoes that have extra comfort.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to sleeping thru the night!, tomorrow my plans include a possible visit to Sandra and Marks and to see the movie UP and Sunday, I want to enjoy our day with Michelle and Ian!

Happy Friday all!

T.G.I.F 07.10.09

I have seen this on a few blogs and really feel the message. What is your TGI for this Friday?

I am trusting myself a lot more these days. I went thru a short phase of continuing to put the trust in others, when in hindsight, I probably shouldn't have and not putting it in myself. I have dumped that phase and I am moving forward.

I am grateful that I am getting better use of my elbow since breaking it. It has been a long, somewhat painful road but I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I am lucky to have physiotherapy available to me as well as a mechanical brace to help me see the end.

I am inspired by so many of my scrappy friends, both in layouts and their photography. I am always learning something new from them and they make me strive to enjoy my hobby more.

I wish you all a fantastic Friday and wonderful weekend!

A Fun Day at Wonderland!

This past Christmas, Sean's boss gave him a wonderful gift - seasons passes to Canada's Wonderland. His boss always thinks of gifts that he knows we wouldn't spend money on. So instead of throwing some cash in an envelope (that essentially will go to bills), he buys the gift for us! We were very surprised at the gift and excited for the park to open!

Jonah hasn't been to Wonderland since he was a toddler. It is an expensive park - $54.95 for one person. And spending that money to wander thru baby rides was not going to happen. Jonah is now 6 years old so it is a super fun age for rides. A bonus to our passes is that Jonah is quite tall for his age. The park measures all kids and puts a colour band on their wrist for what rides they are allowed to go on. Our tall boy reached purple! Which meant he could go on almost every ride!! We were ready to break him into the roller coasters. The REAL roller coasters. I didn't want to start him off on a super scary coaster and traumatize him, but at the same time, I didn't want to put him on what I call the "wussy rides". LOL. So we put him on one called the Fly, which has a lot of dips, but nothing upside down. He loved it! Screams and full out laughter. It was awesome.

After some "big boy" rides, we did take a stroll thru the KidsLand. Jonah went on 2 rides and he was bored with them. He wanted to go back to the "funner" rides.
I was thrilled with his enthusiam and lack of fear for adventurous rides, but I will admit I had a "Momma is getting nervous" moment. Jonah wanted to conquer the Bat! This is an upside down ride that goes forward, then it stops and goes in reverse! I couldn't go because of my elbow, so I waited to watch Daddy and Jonah. My tummy was flip flopping. Then the POWER goes out!! I admit, I nearly shat myself because you can't see who is on the ride at first. For all I knew, he was on the ride!! Luckily, he wasn't. But he was very upset that he couldn't ride it because they had to shut it down! So, when we go next time, we promised that is the very first ride we will go on.

As we left, we did conquer another coaster. This was called Dragon Fire. It has 2 upside down loops and 1 bow tie. I still laugh remembering his screams of pure joy and excitement.
These seasons passes will not be wasted!

Here are a couple of shots of our day. As you can see from the last shot, Daddy had just as much fun as Jonah did! And yes, we had to teach Jonah the cardinal rule of roller coasters - arms go in the air!!

What happened in June?

I have been a very bad blogger. It has been a crazy month! I do plan to blog certain things separately, but thought I would take the lead of a few other bloggers who do a month in review that I love to read - thanks Lee, thanks Joy and thanks Jay!

After a whirlwind May and relaxing vacation in Cape Cod, June came in with force!

• I started June off with a new attitude about letting go of some anger I was letting fester within me.
• Being a bridesmaid (Sean as the best man) brought lots of wedding activities. We had showers, a stag, dress fittings, girls night at Yuk Yuks, it was the build up for the wedding that has been planned for some time.
• June 7th marked 12 years married with Sean. It still amazes me that we feel the way we do about each other. I am crazy in love with him, more so than I was 12 years ago! Amazing.
• Work was very busy. Lots of ups and downs, layoffs around every corner. After a while it plays on you and the challenge is to not let it affect your work. I think I handled it ok.
• Sean's boss gave us a wonderful gift at Christmas - season passes to Canada's Wonderland (comparable to a Six Flags park for my US friends). We took Jonah for the first time since he was a toddler. He had a blast! There is a separate post for this event, along with pictures. Stay tuned :o)
• We had a family weekend in Niagara Falls at the Great Wolf Lodge. It was incredible! We had such a great time. If you ever get a chance to go, take it! You will not regret it. This is also another blog post!
• My baby boy graduated from Senior Kindergarten. Hard to believe that in 2 months he will be a first grader! The ceremony was cute. Jonah was very happy that Michelle (his daycare provider) came to watch him graduate. He felt very special.
• I was able to get 2 scrapbook events in. One event was my monthly class with Sandy - who I adore. And the other event was an all day crop till you drop event. I have been so tired with all the events of the month that I dropped at 11pm. But I did get some projects done. So that is a good thing!
• I made a lot of progress with my physio and the screws are still in place.
• I was put in a situation where friendship could either falter or flourish. Happy to see there were blossoms.
• I am still trying my very best to keep my cursing to no more than 5 a day. Sadly, this month there were too many situations that broke my progress. Oh well. Onward I go to the next day. The good news is I didn't hold onto the anger of the situations.

All in all, June was a fast month with lots of excitement. I promise (really I do) to post some pics of the events. I hope you had a wonderful month - here's to a great July!

For Today

Inspired by Lee who was inspired by Simple Woman's Handbook

Lee always has some amazing links, inspirations and challenges. I highly recommend you check her out!

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW ... I am seeing a lot of weeds that really need to be tended to!

I AM THINKING ... I really need to get this house cleaned now that I finally have some down time this week!

WE ARE LEARNING … that we really need to get a plan into place to keep this house cleaned and organized!

I AM THANKFUL FOR ... my family.

FROM THE KITCHEN ... it will be a scottish meal tonight! Meat pies and baked beans! Yummy!!

I AM WEARING ... the most comfortable black tank top, flip flops and capri pants.

I AM GOING ... to the hospital for some physio on my elbow, to work, then the brace place to get my elbow brace adjusted.

I AM READING ... The Kite Runner. Just started it, but I LalalaLOVE it!!

I AM CREATING ... not a lot right now. Thank goodness for Jaynes Sketch class next week! Hope to get some pages done!!

I AM HOPING ... that this is the last month that I will have to wear the JAS Brace on my elbow!

I AM HEARING ... Jonah chattering away. He has a lot to say lately!

AROUND THE HOUSE ... it looks like a frigging tornado hit it. Really must clean today.

ONE OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS ... is how cuddly Jonah is. He is 6 and I hope it doesn't go away too soon!!

A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK/SUMMER ... other than work, we hope the rain holds off to get to the park and looking forward to a visit this weekend with our very dear friend Michelle.

A PICTURE TO SHARE ... Jonah getting a kick out of being allowed to sit in the drivers seat of the firetruck. What a treat for him!

Enjoy your day!

Happy Canada Day!!

Wishing you all a Happy Canada Day!
We are hoping the weather holds out for us so we can embark on our annual tradition. Our local park by the lake sets up a free event - lots of bouncy rides, games, music, crafts, tattoos, demonstrations and a big birthday cake - we have a great time every year. Then we are heading over to a friends place for some fireworks! What a fun way to celebrate Canada's birthday and show that we are proud to be Canadian!!

Any special plans for today? Do you have a tradition?