8 Things: The Good of 2009

As many of you know, 2009 sucked LARGE for me! Broken elbow, kidney stones, car accident, unemployment, deaths, in law issues, being UN-invited to a funeral, more medical issues, blah, blah, blah......
I thought it would be nice to find 8 things that were POSITIVE.
Without question, I can come up with the obvious ones - my family, my friends, my faith, etc. I wanted to come up with specific items. Sadly, I had trouble!! Well....at first.
I was on the phone with my best gal Sandra and we made a partial list together, Sean helped with some as well :) Once I started my list, I realized I had many things :)

In no particular order......

1. Proud to have been a special part of Mark and Sandra's beautiful wedding day!!
2. Enjoying a many hour car ride with my wonderful friend Lee to her home in Cape Cod.
3. Having the opportunity to meet friends in REAL LIFE!! Amazing how you can be friends with someone online for quite awhile and then finally meeting them in person. Proof that friendship does not have to be next door.
4. Jonah learning to ride his bike without training wheels!
5. Seeing Jonah's face when he got to climb thru the roof of a "real-life" racecar!
6. Enjoying an amazing family weekend at Great Wolf Lodge.
7. Sean finally getting closure on the abusive childhood he experienced.
8. Seeing first hand what true friendship is about.

Do you participate in 8 Things? Would you like to? Head on over to Magpie Girls Blog > *8 Things.

A Child's Wisdom

I received this email from my friend Michelle and had to share it. It reminded me of something Jonah would say.

A Dog's Purpose? (from a 6-year-old).
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker 's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ''I know why.''

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me.. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live.He said,''People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?''

The Six-year-old continued, ''Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.''

Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

1. When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
2. Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
3. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy..
4. Take naps.
5. Stretch before rising.
6. Run, romp, and play daily.
7. Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
8. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
9. On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
10. On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
11. When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
12. Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
13. Be loyal.
14. Never pretend to be something you're not.
15. If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
16. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!

For Today....

(inspired by the Simple Woman's Daybook)

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW ... it is grey, but very still. Our weather has not been giving us the "Christmasey Feel" I look forward to each year.
I AM THINKING ... it has been a long time since I slept in until 9am! What a feeling!
WE ARE LEARNING … to be more organized. It is something Sean craves, and something I really need to focus on. We live in a small house but have so much crap that we haven't touched in quite some time. We will be purging a lot these coming weeks.
I AM THANKFUL FOR ... the gifts Santa brought Jonah that keep him quietly occupied in the morning so that I can grab some extra zzzzzs.
FROM THE KITCHEN ... it is actually CLEAN!!! We finally put away the special dishes we used at Christmas and we are not making any new messes since we're still eating leftovers!
I AM WEARING ... reindeer jammies that the elves snuck in on Christmas Eve :)
I AM GOING ... to make a plan and stick by it this year. I always hear of people who love to make lists and I figure I should give it a go.
I AM READING ... About Alice by Calvin Trillian. It was an easy read that Santa popped in my stocking. I am glad to be reading again after being traumatized by the Shack!
I AM CREATING ... a wellness journey for myself this year after a very unwell 2009.
I AM HOPING ... that Jonah gets better and does not end up with pneumonia like his Momma and Daddy. He has this insessant cough that just will not go away.
I AM HEARING ... the sound of Lego Batman for XBox. Jonah is quietly playing while I get some online time.
AROUND THE HOUSE ... there is still the spirit of Christmas, presents still under the tree, lots of laughter, lots of love.
ONE OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS ... having time to catch up on the blogs in my reader. It is amazing the inspiration you can find out there. Whether it be for creative inspiration, spiritual inspiration or just connecting inspiration. It is out there. And I am absorbing it as much as I can.
A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK ... Enjoy our time with Jonah before he heads back to school on the 4th, continue cleaning and organizing, get packed and ready to leave for Great Wolf Lodge on friday! What a great way to start 2010!!

A PICTURE TO SHARE ...

Jonah being his cute cheeky self :)

What do you use?

Christmas card displays - what do you use to hold your cards? Are they hung on a string? Are they in a basket? Do you have some kind of crafty do-hickey thing?

Every year, I pull out my silver Christmas Tree stand that has card holders.
Every year it topples over.
Every year I curse it.
Every year I say it is crap.
Every year the cards don't get the show time they deserve.
Every year I say I am going to get a new one.

Every year I say that.

So my crafty friends.....please help me embark on a new project - a Christmas card holder!!

Why am I starting this now?? Because I need the 11.5 months to get it finished! HAHA.

Do you have an awesome card holder that you can share with me? You can send me a link in the comments field to whereever it is pictured, or you can email me at ohara.c at rogers.com

Thanks for the inspirations!!

Merry Christmas!

Yes, I just posted a picture of myself with NO make-up wearing Reindeer Jammies :)

I want to wish you all - friends near and far - a very Merry Christmas! Thank you for being my blog pals, listening to me vent when I needed to, sharing my moments and letting me be a part of your day (on the days I blog, of course!)

Remember to Live, to Love and always Laugh.

Much love,

A Message for Santa

And the WINNER is........

......................Kari Ann!! Yay! Thanks to all who participated and helped spread the word about Kim!

KariAnn - Please send me an email to ohara.c at rogers dot com and I will fill you in on how to collect your fabulous prize!

For everyone else, if you haven't already checked Kim out, please take a look at her site. She has fantastic kits! You can find her here! >Express the Moment.

Winner of my Giveaway - Stay Tuned!

Jonah wanted to draw the name when he gets home. I will post the winner soon :)

For Today

For Today.....
(inspired by the Simple Woman's Daybook)

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW ... the sun is shining brightly and I just want to soak it all in!

I AM THINKING ... I have a lot to do this week! Need to get the last of the Christmas stuff done now instead of last minute.

WE ARE LEARNING … that sometimes life hands you a lot to deal with. Stand strong, plow through and you'll be better for it as you come out on the other side.

I AM THANKFUL FOR ... friends who truly understand and cast no judgement.

FROM THE KITCHEN ... my counter is covered with Christmas goodies from my cookie exchange. Thinking it is not a good thing for me to be alone with them. :o)

I AM WEARING ... my comfies!

I AM GOING ... with Sean and Jonah to Great Wolf Lodge this weekend! Very excited!!

I AM READING ... blogs right now. Starting a new book this week from Sidney Sheldon - my fave author. Hope it gets "The Shack" out of my head. That book really bothered me.

I AM CREATING ... a plan for 2010. Technically, it is what I created for 2009 but that gone blown all to hell. Giving it another try, different path.

I AM HOPING ... that the hospital can get their schtick together and confirm my surgery date. I am going crazy!!!

I AM HEARING ... the tv in the background. Breakfast Television, my favourite breakfast news show.

AROUND THE HOUSE ... the decorations are up and bringing me a lot of joy. I could sit and stare at them all day.

ONE OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS ... is snuggling up in a blanket and watching a movie.

A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK ... work, laundry, packing, last minute shopping. Lots to do!

A PICTURE TO SHARE ... nothing like a boy getting dirty, playing in the leaves :)

A Message from Santa!

http://santa.sympatico.ca/watch/fdacc1347b90e88958d89f37025733df

So cute! Jonah will love this.

Scrappy Giveaway!

In previous years, my focus for scrapbooking was always "to not be behind" on my layouts. It got to the point that I was not liking my layouts at all because I was concerned that I was still at last years Easter holiday and I just slapped it together. It was suggested by some of my scrappy friends to broaden my horizons, learn some new techniques and get back to enjoying my scrappy creations. So that is what I did - or attempted - to do this year. I enjoyed many classes, even though I wasn't always able to fully participate. Not only was I learning through classes, I was learning through many scrappy friend blogs. So much to learn out there and a wonderful way to get to know other people better.

I was lucky enough to win a fantastic giveaway from my sweet friend Kyla, free class from my talented friend Jayne at Feeling Scrappy as well as been the taker of Lee's generous scrap room clean outs!

Now it's my turn to give back!

My newest addiction - thanks to Monica, Lee and Kari Ann to name a few- are monthly scrap kits. I have found a fantastic kit club, and a new friend! If you haven't already, please head over and check out Express the Moment. They have wonderful kits! Not only that, Kim is the sweetest gal I have met in a long time. I have been following her blog, she speaks right from the heart and is fantastic to know. You can check out her blog HERE.

To show you how great Kim's kits are and to thank everyone for the wonderful support I have had this year, both creatively and personally, I am giving away an Express the Moment kit! You pick it, I pay for it! You can choose either a card kit or scrapbook kit!


Here is how you can win! Three chances!

1. Post this giveaway on your blog (or twitter, facebook) and send me the link in the comments section.



2. Leave me a comment telling me what you learned this year - not just creatively. Anything.



3. Leave me a comment telling me what you like about scrapbook kits.

I will draw the winner on Tuesday December 15th.

Good Luck!

OK, I do like the colour Pink

This is one of the very few times I enjoy the colour pink - the other reason is it makes me think of my wonderful friend Jayne :)

This video was a fantastic idea to bring awareness to breast cancer. Happy to share it here with you!
Enjoy!

A plug for a friend

Hey Everyone. My friend Lester has started a remote computer assistance company. It doesn't matter where you are located, as long as there is an internet connection, he can help you with all your computer needs - virus removal, full pc tune-up and software installations.
He has done wonders for our computers and is very trustworthy and inexpensive.

He has a 25% off coupon right now. Coupon code is FACEBOOK537.

Check him out!

http://www.lestermacdonald.com/

I'm still here!

My goodness, it has been awhile since I blogged. It will be the same excuse, life just got in the way. Actually, life has been given me a few bumps once again and I started to feel overwhelmed. To the point that I was not online, turning off my cell phone and just basically sticking my head under the blankets to hide. And you know what?? It felt good! LOL. But I am missing my online connections and I have lots to update on. So stay tuned, I will be getting back in the groove this week.

I am also going to be having a giveaway - scrapbook related of course! Be sure to come back to check it out!

I've missed you all, hope you are all well.