Today, not Tomorrow

In the days of the World Wide Internet, there are millions and millions of places we can visit. Being an avid scrapbooker, I belong to a few online scrapbook communities. It is a place to learn techniques, chat, learn about yourself as well as others. You sometimes become very good friends with these cyber acquaintences, sometimes not. But when something tragic happens in the online community, the outpour of love and support is overwhelming - sometimes unbelievable. This week, I saw it happen firsthand.

A fellow scrapper experienced a tragedy this week that no parent should ever have to endure.
Her young son, all of 5 years old woke up sick, throwing up and dizzy. His mom knew something was wrong and took him to critical care. It was found that her young son had a 4cm tumor on his brain stem. He made it thru the surgery, but sadly did not wake up from the coma. He was declared brain dead and was pronounced yesterday with his family at his side. I cannot fathom what this family is going thru.

He was five years old. Only five.
His name was Danny.
Jonah is five years old, same age as Danny.

When I found out, I went upstairs to Jonah's room and lied in his bed with him while he slept. I wrapped my arms around him, caressed his sweet face and watched every breath he took.

My heart breaks for this family that I have never met. I only know Donnann thru the online community and admiring her works of art. Still, I hurt for my cyber friend and her family.

Our little community on the web will be releasing a red balloon in the air from their hometowns at the start of Danny's service. There will be balloons floating all over the world for Danny. He loved the color red because Speed McQueen of Cars was his favorite.
And there will absolutely be a red balloon floating thru the sky in Ajax Canada.

The messages of love, support for Donnann are never ending. Blogs bearing Danny's picture, Status messages reflecting the condolences, people contributing to a fund set up in Danny's name. The outpour from all over the world - amazing to me. I hope that this brings Donnann and her family some kind of comfort. They are in my thoughts.

Remember, appreciate life today, not tomorrow. Love today, not tomorrow. Laugh today, not tomorrow. Do everything today, not tomorrow.

Today, not tomorrow.......

Thanksgiving Tradition

It has become a tradition at Thanksgiving that Jonah and Nana create the centerpiece for the dinner table. We walk thru local greenspaces and pick out some beautifully coloured leaves, wild flowers and pine cones. We make sure we get something of every colour.

Here are some photos of our leaf collection:

The finished product.

Our family picture - my parents, my sister, my nephews, friend of the family, my family and of course, my sisters puppy Zeus.
Hope everyone had a great long weekend!

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.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today is Thanksgiving Day in Canada. I want to wish all my friends and family a very happy Thankgiving. Take the time and express the things you are thankful for. With all the tragedy, hurt, hunger, devastation going on in this world - take that moment to step back and look at what you have. Embrace it, love it, LIVE it. Be Thankful for it.

Much love to everyone. Enjoy your day!

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!

Excitement at Wal-Mart

A few Saturdays ago, I needed to go to Wal-mart. Now I have to say, I HATE going to Wal-mart, especially on a weekend! And I had to take Jonah with me. Even HE didn't want to go!

But we were pleasantly surprised when we pulled up to see a bunch of racing flags hanging around. Of course, Jonah wanted to check it out. Jonah was thrilled to see a "real live race car!"

They were showcasing the racers for Pennzoil. Jonah met David Elliott who is the race car driver. It was like a dream come true for him!

But the kicker was....I didn't have my frickin camera!! I carry my camera EVERYWHERE! But I had taken it out of my purse to download some pics and didnt put it back. I happened to say to one of the fellas there that I forgot my camera. He asked if he could take a picture of Jonah IN the car and put it on his website! Jonah....IN the car...INSIDE a racecar! I don't know who was more excited. Of course I said yes! Jonah already had his foot inside the window! LOL.

David Elliott came over to talk to Jonah and gave him an autographed photo as well.

Jonah's day was made! I don't think I will have a problem getting him to Wal-mart anymore!

Here is the picture of Jonah in the racecar:

Because sometimes we need to laugh

Yesterday was one of those days when things are going good, then something rains on your parade. We had to sink $800 - that we dont have- into Sean's truck. Ugh.

Today, I woke up not feeling well, very blah and dealing with some issues at work. And its not even 9am!

So, what can I do? LAUGH! And this video ALWAYS makes me laugh.

Hope you are having a good day.

I Finally Caved In

Yep, I did it. I finally caved in. Flicked the switch, I did. It happened yesterday. I've learned to accept that......I TURNED THE FURNANCE ON!!! ARGH!

It has always been a rule in my house - which I got from my parents - that the furnace did not go on until mid October. If you were cold, get a sweater, get a blanket, get some slippers!

But Sunday it was CHILLY! Now, for those that know my husband Sean - who has zero % body fat and is 140 pounds soaking wet - he is ALWAYS cold. Jonah is so temperature resilient, he couldn't care less if it was 40 degrees above or below! But this felt like it was in our bones.

So I sucked it up.....walked over to the thermostat.....flicked it on.......walked away - flipping it off of course!

Keep warm!

New Changes at Feeling Scrappy!

My favourite scrapbooking site has undergone some great changes and I suggest you check them out!

As I have mentioned in previous posts, Feeling Scrappy offers amazing online classes with a talented design team. The next class is Sketchapalooza 2!

Check out this LINK and you can enter to win a prize! So what are you waiting for?? Get over there!

Quirks

I was tagged by Brynn to list 6 of my quirks and to tag others.

Here are the rules: Link the person who tagged you.
List 6 quirks of yours.
Tag 6 fellow bloggers to do the same.

1. I have to tell Sean to "be careful" everyday. If I miss him in the morning, I call him at work to tell him. I get that from my mom. She did the same to my Dad.

2. I can't feel my feet when I scrapbook. I have to wear something snug on my feet, not slippers, otherwise I get distracted.

3. I have to sit facing a particular direction anywhere I go. I will even ask someone to move if I have to. Politely of course.

4. I touch my nose A LOT. I didnt realize it until I got my nose pierced.

5. If there is anything hanging out of my sandwich, i.e cheese, I pick it off and dont eat it.

6. I cannot drink a glass of milk that has come from 2 bags. If the bag runs out, I put the poured milk into the fridge for someone else to drink. And get a new glass with the new milk.

Wow, and here I thought I would have a hard time! LOL. Thanks Brynn!

My turn to tag:
1. Lee
2. Brandi
3. Cyn
4. Jayne
5. Megan
6. Stacey