Letting it go in Cape Cod

Last week, I was off for a few days in Cape Cod thanks to a generous invite from my very good friend Lee. It was an amazing trip and the ladies were wonderful! I will be posting pics and more details of that soon!

Cape Cod had a major impact on me - in a very good way. There were many things I was holding on to, or rather, wouldn't let go of. And I knew that I needed to do just that. Let it go.

As some of you know, I, like many others, have had a challenging year. It started out with a death of someone very dear to my heart that I am still struggling with and continued on thru to the present with unemployment, illness, trips to hospitals, car accident, broken elbow, elbow surgery and recovery, preparing to have a hysterectomy and just general uncertainty of our financial future. Needless to say, it has sucked ass large. And yes, I do know there are others worse off than me. I am not that ignorant. I am aware of the issues from all over the world so I do not need anymore of the "things can be worse" emails. Sometimes we just need to wallow. :o)

There were some realizations that I was not prepared to deal with. The biggest one being support. I have often "been there" for people but found when it was I who was having turmoil, they didn't have the time of day, or frankly didn't care. It was not that I expected it, I was just taken aback that the "places" I thought I could go to for support, were closed. And the places I least expected, were wide open! Many people have said, when times are tough, you realize who your real friends are. This year, sadly, proved it to be very true. In so many ways.

I was starting to carry anger around with me. That anger grew after my husband was being blamed for someones cancer. Appalling and unbelievable, I know. But it happened. That threw me over the edge.

I kept praying that things would turn around. I also realized that if I didn't let things go, they wouldn't turn around. Thank God for Lee and her invite to Cape Cod. It is amazing what dipping your toes in the Atlantic Ocean and watching a sunset can do for your soul!

A couple of the ladies and I went for a walk on the beach to discover and take pictures. I stood at the edge of the beach and waited for the ocean to roll up to me.

It was not as cold as I expected it to be! But what a great feeling! I just stood there, mezmerized by the beauty of this place and the feelings that wash over you.

Afterward, I went up to Monica and Jayne and hugged them. I am sure they didn't realize why, but the emotions hit me like a wave and I just needed to hug! LOL. They probably thought I was just being "Crazy Char".

One of the last evenings we were there, we all watched a beautiful sunset.

From the start.....

.... to finish.

I have "seen" many sunsets, but very rarely are they "watched". The last time was with my husband at our honeymoon spot. I was due! It was spectacular and breathtaking.

The sunset completed it for me. Again, I felt emotional and went to hug Lee to thank her. I am quite sure Lee understood the hug. At least I hope she does. I am truly grateful. The year may be half over, but for me, after this trip it is a new start.

I really had a wonderful time in Cape Cod and I will share some more details soon.

Until then....much love,

Char

Laughing, Scrapping and more Laughing

I spent a fabulous day in Mississauga with two freaking fantastic women - Lee and Cyn!

Cyn came up from Georgia to visit her family in Guelph so we HAD to plan a scrapbook day! We went to this store called Scrapalicious - if you haven't been there, you MUST check it out. It is a husband and wife team. We had the pleasure of scrapping on a day when the hubby was there - his name is Mike. He is wonderful! He actually did me a HUGE favour of picking up a movie for me that I had forgotten to buy, which meant I had to do it on Christmas Eve - the WORST day to shop! But he had errands to run and said it was no problem!! How sweet!

OK, back to my girls. It is so amazing to me when women can get together and talk....about ANYTHING. Nothing is ever off the table, our conversations are always so frank and we can throw out opinions with no holds barred and still laugh and smile with each other - even if we dont agree! We even talk about taboo subjects - politics, religion, money, you name it, we can discuss it! It is so refreshing.

Our intention of the day was to scrap together. But I think we gabbed and laughed more than anything! We were there 7 hours and I got one page done - LOL. Regardless, it was so much fun.

And of course, there were Christmas gifts! I love the reactions I was able to capture from them!

For Cyn, I got her the Tonic Border Punch set that she has been wanting and had on her wish list. I think she was surprised.....what do you think?

And for Lee, hers was a non-scrapping gift (perish the thought, eh?!?). A couple of months ago, Lee had a tragic event occur in her kitchen - her pampered chef food chopper passed on in an accident LOL And when we had stayed over for dinner one night, her thermometer joined the chopper. So I had been hoping neither had been replaced - luckily they hadn't! So I bought Lee the chopper, a thermometer, mini recipe book and a "Believe" ornament.

Now, I already knew what Cyn was bringing for me, but to see it in person is much different than a webcam. LOL. Cyn made me a beautiful altered "C" and an altered notebook for my sketches and quotes!! They are beautiful! She also gifted me a sketch magazine now that I have been sketch cured! Lee also gave me a wonderful generous gift certificate to Scrapalicious, which I had NO trouble using thanks to the enabling! My sincere thanks to you both.

Here is a pick of my presents:

And here we all are! The cupcake pillow is there because that is the store logo.

I was sad to see our day together come to a close. We had so much fun and I didn't want to leave. But we were getting hit with another snow storm so we needed to head out. It took me 3 hours to get home, but it was so worth it!!

To my Cyn and Lee - thank you for a wonderful day, you are true friends and I just love ya!

Sweet Gesture = Mail Present for me!

What a pleasant surprise I had in the mail today. It has been a yucky week with me having this chest infection and feeling so drained and just plain BLAH. But today I had a great pick me up!!

In the mail was a package for me!! It was a very thoughtful and generous gift from Kari Ann, whom I had met at Feeling Scrappy. Kari Ann has been one of the very talented gals who have inspired the change in my scrapping style. She is also so very sweet and I miss the daily chat with her!

So what was inside, you ask?

THIS!

A FISKARS Leave it to Weaver Border Punch!! How great is that!!

Kari Ann knew I had wanted this punch (after she enabled me on it! LOL) and she went out and picked it up for me! I knew it was on its way because KariAnn needed to know where to send it, but it was still a nice surprise for me today.

So thank you Kari Ann! I promise to make a wonderful layout and send you a picture of it!!

MWAH!!

FS Challenge - Christian Bernard

A few blogs ago I mentioned Feeling Scrappy. They just launched their new site and also their first challenge! They are ramping up for their upcoming class, Sketchapalooza II, so it was fitting to post a sketch challenge! The sketch is by Amy Bell, who is just so talented. The challenge can be found here.

They also offered a prize that international scrappers (like me) are qualified for: Sketchapalooza Class for FREE!

Here is my layout based on the sketch. I featured the newest addition to my extended family. My very good friends Sheri and Peter welcomed their first child, a son, named Christian. He is beautiful, precious, a true blessing and thankfully, very healthy. I hope they like this layout as much as I enjoyed creating it.

A great way to spend a Saturday

Jonah has always found it interesting that I have friends who "live in my computer" and although I know he doesn't really understand, it is cute to have him look at me in amazement when I tell him that I am "talking" to them. The joys of a 5 year old mind.

Yesterday I told Jonah that we were driving out to another town to meet Mommy's friend Lee and her family. Jonah was quick to ask "Isn't she the one who lives in your computer???", eyes wide open. I said, "Yep! That's her!". He couldn't wait.

You would think by now I have learned my lesson to not tell Jonah things until 5 minutes before it happens, because all I hear is "Are we going now?", "Is it time to go?", "How much longer??".

I have been to Lee's house two other times, I have met her lovely family. But this was the first time Sean was meeting the whole gang. After being disappointed or screwed from meeting other people, he was hesitant. But once we got there, he was put at ease, and I knew he would be.
Lee and her husband Louis are gracious, very real people. No holds barred with them. No need to sugar coat, it is what it is. And that is what I love about them.

Jonah had fun playing in the "castle" and got along well with the kids. Sometimes it is hard with children, they butt heads or just have conflicting personalities, but not this gang! They had fun together and there was no arguing! Jonah didn't want to leave and can't wait to go back. Louis firmly secured a place in Jonah's heart by giving him a truck "just like Papa drives!" and he has not stopped playing with it!

We enjoyed many hours of laughs, chatter, even talking about taboo subjects - politics and religion! And even though we are polar opposites, the conversation flowed and we had a great time. Lee and Louis made us a fantastic roast dinner, we were stuffed!

We had a fantastic time and like all good things do, it had to come to an end. We look forward to our next gathering!

Thanks Lee, Louis and all the Cs, for a fantastic time!