I know I have been missing in action...but I have an excuse!! I swear!!! I am ecstatic to announce that ScrapAbility has gone live!!! It has been months of work and it is so nice to see it all completed. Thanks to everyone for their support. The response has been great so far and you won't believe what we have in store for you! I'm still working hard on bringing you even more amazing classes.
I need to thank a few people though. First to my dear, dear friends Patti and Elia. You are the most amazing friends a girl could ask for. I'm pretty sure that Patti is ready to say "Stop calling me!" We talk a few times a day and still we aren't sick of each other...well I guess I can only speak for myself. These two girls know business like no one else I know and have such high standards for ethics and morals as well. Amazing is all I can say. I'm so privileged to know the two of you much less get to work with you!
I also want to thank our first set of amazing teachers! Without you guys willing to take a chance, ScrapAbility wouldn't have been able to get off the ground! Thanks for believing and trusting in me. Your faith in our idea humbles me and I am honoured to also call you all my friends. Trust me when I say this...these classes kick a*%!!! Each of these teachers brings something amazing to the table. There is truly something there for everyone.
A big thanks to Patti and Chris the minds behind Blue Kangaroo Studios who brought our vision for ScrapAbility to reality. I'm sure they are sick of our constant changes and requests but the end result speaks for itself! Thanks guys!!
If you haven't stopped by already, please do so. If you register in the forum you can download this free class and you will be entered to win a prize package! The deadline for registering for the prize package is April 15th. I can't wait to see you!!
So...It has been mentioned at the Nook that I haven't posted in a bit. It's mostly because I don't have much to say right now that isn't about ScrapAbility. And I can't give all of that away right now....so I decided to take Kristi-Anna's challenge and do the 100 questions about me survey!
1. When’s the last time you ran?
I don't do running...although I would love to be able to say that I am a runner. When I was young people used to make fun of the way I ran and now I'm too self conscious to run. I did run upstairs today to get some clothes for Grace! Does that count?
2. Do your jeans have rips, tears, and holes in them?
I used to think I was SO cool in highschool when I had this...remember the safety pins?? I don't have any holes in my pants now though.
3. What are you dreading right now?
I'm anxious about the launch of ScrapAbility. I'm not really dreading anything though.
4. Do you celebrate 4/20?
Am I dense? What is 4/20? Easter? Not this year. Hmmm.... how about I'm not sure?
5. Only child?
No..I have one younger sister, Sarah.
6. Favorite ice cream?
PC Caramel Chocolate Crackle Ice Cream and Baskin Robbins Pralines & Cream
7. When was your last doctor’s visit?
About 8 months ago...the dreaded yearly physical! I'm kind of anti-doctor for myself...which is odd considering I'm a nurse. I guess I just worry that they will think I'm silly for coming in for nothing.
8. Do you get the full 8 hours of sleep a night?
No...I don't even know what that is. I don't think I have slept through the night since Grace was born almost 6 years ago.
9. “First Loves Are Never Over;” is this true for you?
No...although I admit I have thought about my first love through the years.
10. Think of all your exes. Would you take any of them back?
No...never.
11. If anyone came to your house on your “lazy days” what would they find you wearing?
Probably PJ's or track pants
12. Have you ever been on your school’s track team?
In grade school I was on the cross country team...see my earlier post about running...and in high school I was on the gymnastics and field hockey teams.
13. Do you own a pair of Converse?
I did when I was in high school. I just bought Grace a pair of rip-off high tops all blinged out! I love them on her!
14. Who did you copy and paste this survey from?
Kristi-Anna
15. Do you eat raw cookie dough?
Yuck! No...I would much rather have the cookie.
16. Have you ever kicked a vending machine?
No...but I have rocked one in the past.
17. Don’t you hate when the radio ruins good songs by playing them over and over?
Not really... I only listen to the radio in the car so I'm happy that I get to hear the good songs when I'm driving.
18. Would you rather them play the whole video or just a clip of it on TRL?
I have never been a video watcher...so I guess I don't really care.
19. Do you watch Trading Spaces?
Yes
20. How do you eat oreos?
I just bite into them...it's really how they were intended to be eaten! ;)
21. Have you ever stayed online for a very long time waiting for someone?
Yes...all the time...I'm kind of embarassed to admit that.
22. Are you cocky?
No...I don't think so
23. Could you live without a computer?
Definitely no!
24. Do you wear your shoes in the house?
No
25. At what age did you find out that Santa wasn’t real?
I'm not really sure...maybe sometime around 8?
26. How many phones are in your house?
4 plus 2 cell phones so I guess 6
27. What do you do when you’re sad?
Eat!
28. Who would you call first if you won the lottery?
Paul and then my mom and sister
29. Last time you saw your best friend?
It's been too long but I talk to her multiple times a day!
30. Who or what sleeps with you?
Paul, my hubbie
31. Are you/have you ever been in love?
I am in love now with my husband (and scrapping) :)
32. Pancakes or french toast?
French toast with strawberry jam
33. How do you like your eggs?
Over easy
34. Are you in highschool?
Thank goodness...no!
35. Is anyone on your bad side right now?
Oh...there are a couple of people!
36. What jewelry are you wearing?
Just my wedding ring set
37. What’s the first thing you do when you get online?
Check my email
38. Do you watch Grey’s Anatomy?
Ummm...of course! Is there any other show as good??
39. How do most people spell your name?
Jenn .... I only use one "n"
40. Would you wear a boy/girlfriends clothes?
If they fit me I would...why not?
41. What was the first movie that gave you nightmares?
Blair Witch Project - that movie creeped me out...we were living in a house in the forest at the time!
42. Favorite 80s teen movie?
Breakfast Club I guess...I loved all of the 80's teen movies though
43. Is Justin Timberlake becoming the next Michael Jackson?
I'm not sure...I do know however that he is bringing the sexy back! BTW...check this out!
44. Do you know someone that wasn’t born in Canada?
Yes...a ton!
45. Favorite name for a boy?
Simon obviously! :)
46. Will you keep your last name when you get married?
I changed mine to Paul's
47. Your favorite restaurant you don’t get to eat much at?
Alice Fazooli's or Milestones
48. When is the last time you left your house?
This morning...with the kids
49. How do you eat your steak?
Medium...on a side note, I was a vegetarian for 11 years and now I love a good steak occasionally!
50. Do you return your cart?
Always
51. Do you have a dishwasher?
Yes! Thank goodness!
52. What noise do you hear?
The hum of the fridge and my fingers on the keyboard.
53. Would you survive in prison?
I think so but I would be terrified!
54. Next concert you hope to go to?
I would love to go see one of my favourite bands from my youth including but not limited to...Depeche Mode, REM, The Cult (I hear they are getting back together), U2
55. What was the last thing you ate?
A pizza pocket...and it wasn't even good!
56. When was the last time you said I love you and meant it?
This morning
57. Who is the youngest in your family?
My son Simon who is turning 4 this weekend! Where has the time gone?
58. If all of your friends were going on a road trip, who would be most likely to over pack?
Probably me. I like to be prepared!
59. Do you know anyone with the same name as you?
Umm....yes...doesn't everyone know someone named Jen?? My sister in law is also named Jen and so we have the EXACT same first and last names...much to her disappointment! :)
60. How many syllables does your name have?
5 for first and last
61. When is the last time you ate peanut butter?
Yesterday!
62. What service is your cell phone?
Telus
63. What’s for dinner?
Not sure...I guess I should start thinking about that.
64. What’s the last thing you purchased?
Gymnastics classes for the kids.
65. Do your siblings ever pay for stuff for you?
No but why should she?
66. Where is your cell phone?
In my work bag.
67. Is your phone on vibrate or ring?
Ring...but it's always turned off unless I need to call out.
68. What brand are your pants right now?
Not sure...bought them at Costco though!
69. Ever been to Georgia?
Yes...as a child
70. Did you do breakfast this morning?
Yes...Honey Nut Cheerios and banana
71. Do you like marshmallows?
About once a year...roasted almost until they are burnt
72. What irritates you most on the internet?
I would have to say unsolicitated spam emails
73. What brand is your digital camera?
Canon Rebel
74. Do you watch movies with your parents?
Not any more
75. What song best describes your life right now?
I can't think of any right off the top of my head...I'm not very good at that...I keep singing "Paxil Back" in my head.
76. Do you own expensive perfume/cologne?
Yes...but I never wear it!
77. Are you taking college classes right now?
No...but we are getting ready to start our own school! ;)
78. Who are you dating right now?
Patrick Dempsy...oh...did I just say that out loud?
I don't really have too much to post about today. I have been spending a fairly relaxing week at home. I have been working on some more of the behind-the-scenes stuff for ScrapAbility. I can't tell you how excited I am about all of this. The night that we went live with our Splash page I couldn't sleep! The response so far has been fantastic! Thanks SO much to everyone who has left us comments and let us know that we are doing the right thing by starting all of this. It makes all the work SO worth while! We are working at bringing you all something unique and inspiring. I really hope that you will all agree once you see it for yourselves.
I have had 3 layouts picked up this week for publication! I'm so excited. I have recently started submitting again and to have success so early after starting again is fantastic!
SO next week is the week that we will find out that my friend Michelle Engel has indeed won CK HOF. I was privileged to get a sneak peek at her wonderful work and I'm quite certain that she has an amazing chance of getting the nod this year. She has an amazing, cohesive style that I just love. One talented lady she is! I guess I just have to sit back and wait for the calls to start. Then I will get the call from Michelle that will say "You were right Jen" and I can say, "I told you so". I've been waiting to say that. :)
I guess that's all I have to talk about today. Life is good. It's wonderful to be surrounded by great friends and family. Realizing my dreams is becoming a wonderful, fulfilling experience. Did I mention that I'm tired?
So I can finally reveal what I have been working on for the past little bit! I'm so excited! Patti Thompson, Elia Cabral and I have come to together to bring you something that we are so excited about.
Please take a moment to visit our new site...ScrapAbility!
Here is a bit more info from my friend Patti:
When will we launch--We do not have a specific date, but will let you know when we do. What I can tell you is that we are very close, and are working on it at a feverish pace, so it should not be too long. Obviously we will keep you up to date. Who are we--I have to credit the concept of SA to Jen Backler. Elia, Jen and myself have worked hard to round out the concept and bring something truly unique to everyone. We are a separate company from The Scrapping Nook.
What are we--The classes that we will be bringing the consumer are top notch classes, taught by industry leaders, design team members and top manufacturing companies. We will launch with a small array of classes to test the waters and continue to grow from there. We have a long list of teachers who have agreed to teach for us and who understand our concept and our goal.
What is our goal-- Our goal is to reach everyone. We have a distinct Canadian feel, but have included international teachers to really round out the experience. We felt a real need in the industry to reach scrapbookers, paper crafters and photographer "wannabes" all over the world. It does not matter if you live in Fonthill, France, Ft. Myers or anywhere in between. Everyone will now have the opportunity to learn, grow and flourish as an artist regardless of where they live.
We are incredibly excited and honoured to offer this to you! We would love to have feedback on what classes you would like to see offered, and any other comments you might have. You can reach us at info@scrapability.ca
I know, I know...it's been forever, but I'm here now and I plan on staying on a "fairly" regular basis. My life seems to have been just crazy lately and many things have had to take a back seat lately including this blog.
I am back working full time at the hospital and that has been a bit of an adjustment. Trying to balance work, kids, my designing commitments, and new adventures has been difficult at times but I'm liking the direction my life is taking.
Start with the kids you say? Well...even if you don't say that I am...so there. :) Grace is doing well...sassy as ever. I can't believe that I have an almost 6 year old! Where does all the time go? Simon has started speech therapy (after an 8 month wait on the waiting list) and we are having almost weekly sessions. Another challenge in our lives right now but much needed for Simon's sake. He will be starting JK in the fall and I want people to be able to understand him. He still drops the majority of the ends and beginnings of words and has been classified with a "moderate to severe" speech delay. Right now we are working on the "f" sound and he is making slow but steady progress.
I will add a couple of photos of the kids enjoying winter...just because! :)
I'm starting a new schedule at work next week and I'm excited about that. It will be a 4 days on and 5 off schedule. SO much easier to manage my life (or at least I hope so). Shift work can be so hard, especially when you have to work 2 weeks of nights at a time. I'm hoping that this new schedule will find me less tired on a day to day basis.
I recently finished my very first scrapbook teaching experience at the Nook! It was a fantastic first experience. I love my friends Patti and Elia. Working for them is a pure pleasure and they made the whole experience so enjoyable! I had a ton of fun throughout the day and I hope that I will be able to teach again soon! It was great meeting some new people and seeing a bunch of my friends as well. I hope it was as fun for those taking the class as I had teaching it.
I have started submitting again. Yay me! I figured it was time to get myself out there again. I just heard that I got a layout picked up for Blue Media's Layout Blueprints 2. SO excited to be at it all again!
And...I have something very wonderful in the works right now. Unfortunately I can't share the details yet but I am so extremely excited about it all! I have been working very hard on this along with a few other friends and I hope that you will all be as excited about it as I am when it is all finished! I can't wait to share more...and I'm sorry about the tease. It will all be revealed real soon! I promise.
If you stumble across this new post...thanks! I know that many have given up on me and if you come here on the off chance that maybe, just maybe I posted a new entry, I love you for not giving up on me! I will try very hard to be a better blogger I swear!
My friend Elia started a thread about what we are thankful for over at the Nook (their online forum). Since I read the thread I have been thinking of the things I am thankful for. It may seem strange but the thing I am most thankful for in my life is the adversity that I have overcome.
I am thankful that I grew up in a wonderful loving family. My mother was quite sick when I was growing up and was in and out of the hospital a lot. I am thankful for that. I am thankful that through that, we are closer as a family. I have come to the realization that my father is a wonderful father and husband for sticking by my mom through it all and raising us when he my mother wasn't around. I think that because of my mother's illness, I am a more compassionate person and I am empathetic to the people around me who themselves face adversity.
I am thankful that I had a boyfriend in highschool who was verbally and mentally abusive. I am still affected by his actions towards me but I truly believe that I am in some ways a stronger woman because of it. I had the courage to walk away. I knew I deserved better. I never put myself into an abusive relationship again. I broke the cycle. I truly believe that coming through that pain brought my to my wonderful husband Paul. He is my best friend and soul mate. He treats me with respect and as his equal. He is everything I ever hoped a partner would be and he is the most amazing father for my children. I am extremely thankful for his patience with my sometimes low self esteem and residual scars from my past. He is warm, compassionate, and giving. He is everything I needed and everything I will ever want. He is who I strive to be. A wonderful, strong, compassionate person.
Last night I let a labouring lady through the doors of the hospital. She was about to have a baby and I felt a tinge of jealousy that I didn't get to experience labour and the natural childbirth of my two children. As I sat there thinking about it, I realized that I am thankful that I had difficult pregnancies and childbirths of my two children. I am not a natural mother and I believe that it was through this adversity that I have been able to form strong bonds with my children. I had pregnancy induced hypertension with both and that caused a bunch of complications.
Grace was born at 38 weeks via C-section after a failed attempt at induction. My birth experience was tainted by a terrible birth experience through which I experienced a huge amount of pain that I won't go into here. She was healthy. My husband, my pillar of strength yet again. My family came together and stayed with my through my labour. I became closer to my SIL in that day as well. I was not successful at breast feeding and spent many a night crying over that with my daughter in my arms. Through those first nights in the hospital, I was able to bond with my daughter. My daughter and I are extremely close now.
My son Simon was born during the height of the SARS crisis in Toronto. He was born at 36 weeks and had some difficulty breathing following birth which led to complications. He was transferred to Sick Kids at one day old and I left the hospital one day post-op to be with him at the hospital. The doctor only let me leave because of the SARS crisis. I am thankful that I was allowed to sit with my son and touch his hand. Until this time I hadn't even touched him! At 5 days old I was finally able to hold my son in my arms for the first time. I was overcome with emotion and bonded with him at that instant. Holding his little body with all the tubes everywhere. How lucky was I that I could hold my baby in my arms when so many lost their babies. There were other complications and Simon had to undergo surgery at 8 days old. I am SO thankful for the doctor that operated on Simon and the amazing nurses that cared for my son following the surgery. My son would not be here today had he not had his emergency surgery. I was an amazingly difficult time but I have a healthy, loving, and caring 3 year old today because of all of this and for that I am extremely grateful.
I also believe that I have some of the most amazing friends in the world. They are always there for me when I need them. I am so truly thankful for them. Maybe it was my adversity through life that brought them to me as well. They make me happy, they support me, and they love me no matter what mood I am in!
I was at the doctor's office a month or so ago and there was a poem on the wall. I read the poem and spent an hour searching the net for a copy of it. I found it! Read it....I was almost in tears in the doctor's office. We have so much to be thankful for.
Thanks for bearing with me through all this! And thanks for reading...it means that I have friends who care what I have to say and who respect my feelings and thoughts. I love you guys!!
I Am Thankful ... ** ...for the taxes that I pay because it means that I am employed. ...for the mess I have to clean up after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends. ......for the clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat. ......for my shadow who watches me work because it means I am out in the sunshine. ....for a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home. ...for all the complaining I hear about government because it means we have freedom of speech. ...for the spot I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking. ...for my huge heating bill because it means I am warm. ...for the lady behind me in church who sings off key because it means that I can hear. ...for weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I have been productive. ...for getting too much e-mail because it lets me know I have friends who are thinking of me.
My dear sweet Paul came up to the bedroom where I was sleeping after my night shift today to inform me that my sweet neighbour Kim thinks that I may be pregnant again!
It appears that Kim read my blog and came to that possible conclusion...insert the "eek" smilie here!! I must assure you that I am in NO WAY pregnant. My secret is definitly "scrap" related. I can most definitly only handle two children! They keep me more than busy and happy for that matter....although I must say....seeing a newborn.... ;)
Here is another layout I finished with the gel-a-tin stamps. I used the Weathered Letters, Laugh Out Loud Letters (1" Lowercase), and the chocolate card set that was premiered at CHA Summer. Can't wait to get the new Memory Trends releases! They are gorgeous! I am itching to create with those stamps!
Well....I'm going to give this another go. It has only been since June! Just a little vacation! ;)
Off to Memory Trends next Sunday. I'm getting excited. I loved Vegas last year and I'm looking forward to exploring it more this year with some of my fellow Gellies. I have been scrapping a lot this week in anticipation of the show. Did some new Gel-a-tins stuff. Let me know what you think!
I also made it to round 3 in the Scrappin' Trends Summer Bash contest. The deadline was Saturday and we had to upload 2 layouts and an altered cube for this round of the contest. There will be 3 winners from the 15 left. I mostly was hoping to make it to this round so that I could work with the brand new Urban Lily that I was digging! I am in love with what I did so it was all worth it whether or not I win. Winning would be cool though! ;)
I have recently found out about a couple of other cool things scrap related that I still have to keep a secret for now. I am so excited about it all and I am bursting with excitement to talk about it!! Just one more week for one of them!
I have been hanging out in a new place (besides my regular haunting ground on the net). My friends Patti and Elia started a forum for their store in Fonthill. It's called the Scrapping Nook and I just adore their little store with all the up to date current stuff! The forum is turning into a fun place to be as well! I'm enjoying the small feel. Great job guys!!
Two weeks ago I started my new job in Emergency at my local hospital. So far I'm liking the small community feel of the hospital and the people I have met have been really nice. It's hard being the new girl but I think I will like it there. The pace is (so far) a little but slower so that is nice AND we get our breaks!! Two more orientation shifts and then I'm on my own! I'll let you know in a couple of weeks if I still like it when I'm flying solo!
I have been wanting to add a little more digi to my scrapping and have recently been introduced to Jessica Sprague's awesome blog with Friday Photoshop tutorials! This week Jessica talked about blending modes and OMG I can't wait to use it on everything that I have! I love the mix of digi with traditional paper layouts. I see a new trend in my future!
Check this out! Isn't it so cool? You can do it to! It really wasn't hard and it was SO fun in the process. Now I can't wait to scrap this photo! Nothing like a cool new technique to get the 'ole mojo flowing again I say!
I'm feeling much better today although I could do without the nagging cough and constant dribble from my nose.
I would like to know why it is that my children, both of them, feel the need to wake up 2, 3, even 4 times a night. It is really driving us insane. Sure they go back to sleep right away but it makes for a very restless night. That coupled with a VERY long day at work makes me a very tired girl. Still, here it is, almost 11pm and I sit here, writing on my blog.
************************
I feel frustrated tonight with my work. I often feel frustrated after a shift at the hospital. A lot of people have said to me that what I do is important work and that it must be so cool to save lives. While I agree that my work is important, nurses frequently feel unnoticed and unheard. While it can sometimes feel fantastic to save a life, we sometimes are forced to keep people alive that we know will have not have any real quality of life when we do save them. What are we saving these people for? So that they can sit in a wheelchair in their nursing home where no one comes to visit them? Where they probably don't remember their caregivers who care for them on a daily basis? Or for those who we don't even know if they even have any family at all, where their only "family" is a public trustee who has made them a "full code" 3 years ago and hasn't bothered to revisit the patient's code status? Now there is a poor man who I am sure has suffered a lot, who probably won't recognize anyone who he should recognize, clinging to life in an ICU, with a tube in his throat helping him to breath, and more medications than any one person should have running through an IV just to keep his blood pressure high enough to sustain his life. Not one person came to visit this man while he was under my care today and our attempts at finding any family that we could speak with ended with the nurse at the nursing home. There was none. Not such a rewarding day. The sad thing is it happens all the time. I tell everyone I know to let their family know their wishes should the unthinkable happen, because it WILL happen. Will your family know what to do?
We do. Nurses do. Doctors do. Those of us that see this on a daily basis. We see tragedy, upon tragedy in our Emergency. We joke about having DNR tatooed on our chests. Or about stock piling medications so that when the time comes we will have our own choice to make when we can make it. Sure we see wonderful things as well. Sure there are many happy moments as well. The majority of people leave the hospital tired but okay but some don't and I am saddened by the families that have never discussed these topics or the patients that have to die alone. If you are reading this and haven't discussed this with your family, please make sure they understand your wishes. Please.
This isn't a self pity party about what a bad day I had. There were many fine moments of my day. I even laughed today. But patients like this can sometimes weigh heavy on your soul. I never really know what to say when people will say, "Wow, you work in ER? It must be so exciting! You must have some great stories!". The truth is that I DO have some stories but the "stories" that I remember the most, that stay with me and are easy to recall are the ones where someone is usually critically injured or ends with me (and others) having to support a grieving family.
It's just hard. That's all there is to it. Mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually....hard. I don't know how else to explain it. Often, I just want to go to an office, do my job on my computer, not hold people's lives in my hands, and go home. I know that that can be hard too, but I sometimes think it really isn't the same HARD.
*******************************
So now I've gone back and reread what I have written and although I feel like taking all the middle part out, I'm not. I feel the need to say those things tonight. I feel the need to let people know what it is really like sometimes.
It's strange reading it all again because I see the dissociation with it and then me tapping into my feelings about today. Often I just push all those feelings down. We have to do that. It's a coping thing I think. Two seperate entities...my home life and my work life. But tonight I'm just so tired...
Melissa posted a challenge to bloggers on S! the following list. So....being the obedient young lady that I am, I will oblige ;) Plus I might win a RAK!! Nothing like the promise of a prize to get me going I say!!
I AM: Everything that I wanted to be and more...and some things that I didn't want to be. I WANT: to get in shape and kick my food addiction in the butt once and for all. I HAVE: everything I need I WISH: I had more will power I HATE: mean and arrogant people I MISS: having time to myself on a regular basis I HEAR: children laughing and playing...five minutes ago it was children screaming and crying I WONDER: what my life will be like a year from now I REGRET: not allowing my creative side to come out during my schooling years I AM NOT: happy with my nursing job right now I DANCE: when no one is watching I SING: only to my children because to them I have the best voice in the world I CRY: when I see children suffering I AM NOT ALWAYS: patient I MAKE WITH MY HANDS: my own works of art I WRITE: because it calms me and allows me to share my thoughts and feelings I CONFUSE: my husband I NEED: love and companionship I SHOULD: be cleaning my house I START: everything with enthusiasm I FINISH: projects with a deep feeling of satisfaction even though it sometimes takes me a while to get there
Thanks for the challenge Melissa! You helped me keep up with my other challenge to post to my blog daily as well!
Feeling pretty crumby today. I started yesterday with what I thought was a cold but seemed to morph over night into the flu. I woke up this morning with a fever and the feeling like I might vomit at any second. I'm not a really good sick person. I spend my professional like looking after sick people, you think I would be able to handle it. I can't. I sit around feeling sorry for myself. Good thing I have a good man who puts up with me.
This was the worst time of the month to get sick too. I was supposed to be working at Wendy's today getting the kits out. I feel like I have let so many people down. Everyone is always so excited to get the kits and when one factor in the already hectic schedule isn't in place, everything gets thrown off wack. Wendy was so sweet too...she even offered to let me use her "sparkle puke bucket". Thanks. :)
I don't have much else to say since I spent the day sleeping and lounging in my PJ's. I did manage to start some organizing of my embellishments by colour families. I read about it in the Big Picture book. I loved the concept and I can already see how it will be perfect for me. My only concern is trying to pick what colour to put an item with when there are more than one colour. I have put those to the side for now. It's a big job but I think it will be worth it in the end. I will post some pictures (maybe) when and if I ever get it done. It's funny how you have zero strength when you are sick. It's like opening a cupboard takes all the energy in the world.
I'm leaving with a posting of my last layout for the Scraptivity June kit. I loved this kit and I admit I pushed for this paper, so if you don't like it I guess you have me partly to blame! I am so pleased with how this layout turned out. I admit that I was a little afraid of the Festival Letter stamps but I love how the work so well with this layout.
I think that is about it for today. I should at least get some brownie points for keeping up with my commitment to post to my blog. No? Tomorrow is a new day and hopefully a healthier day!
SO...it has been forever since I have written on my blog and I made a promise to myself today that I was going to try and post much more frequently. Even if it is just a couple of lines. I think I was feeling this need to write a novel and that was stopping me from coming on and posting. The funny thing is, once I get started it is sometimes hard to stop! Cheap therapy I guess.
Life has been a little hectic lately. I have gone back up to 30 hours a week at the hospital and that hasn't made me very happy. I'm trying to balance that with working with Wendy and getting my own scrapping done. I feel SO good when I scrap but I find that I am SO tired lately and just getting down there to my desk is hard in itself. I think I just have to commit to sitting at the desk every day and looking at my photos and supplies. Then inspiration will set in and I will start scrapping. It usually works every time if I can just get myself down there.
We have Grace registered in Blast Ball and Soccer this summer. So far she is loving every minute of it. Blast Ball is a step below T-Ball. It just gets them used to working as a team and hitting and fielding the ball. It is one of the cutest things I have ever seen (even though I have only managed to get out to one game so far due to working at the hospital...grrr). Basically there is a T and one base. The kids (about 6 of them) stand on these little black pads all around this one base. When the player hits the ball, they all run to try and get the ball. It's so cute to see a group of 6 kids scurrying to get the ball. So far there hasn't been any huge fights.
A cute thing happened at one of the first games. Grace's team is called the Rockies. When they were leaving the field to go home, Grace turned around (not knowing the kids names yet) and screamed, "Bye Rockies number 5!!" It was adorable!
On the scrapping front, I'm thinking about entering Masters this year. That's about as far as I have gotten. I am loving the design team work I am doing for Scraptivity. I love that those kits are constantly pushing me to come up with new ideas and techniques! I was talking last night how I feel like entering the CK HOF contest this year was one of the best things I have ever done in my scrapbooking. It was a challenge to complete those 10 layouts but I felt so fulfilled when I sent in that entry and I feel like it has really helped me to grow as a scrapper. Really good things have come from me entering that contest too.
I believe that things that are happening now are a result of me entering that contest as well. It has given me more confidence to put myself out there. You can't win if you don't try, right?
I'm so excited that yesterday at the CK Convention in Buffalo, I won the Scrapworks Award of Merit prize! I was so excited! There were so many wonderful entries! I saw a few of them myself. I want to give a small shout out to my friend Kim who in my opinion should have won a prize as well....her layout was amazing! I loved all the little details of it. I hope you will get to see it soon on a gallery or better still in an up and coming book or magazine!
Kudos of course to my friend Vicki for bringing home the "Best in Show" award too! Her layout was breathtaking of course...any one who knows Vicki's work would expect no less. I'll be waiting for my dinner Vic!
See? I can't just write a couple of lines...my mother used to always say I talked too much...perhaps she is right.
Not feeling so well today. I called in sick to work last night because I think I have some sort of stomach virus that I probably picked up at the hospital while working. There has been a lot of that going around at the hospital. I am feeling a lot better today and actually got a layout done as well!
I decided that I am trying out for the 3 Bugs in a Rug design team. I love their paper and love the layouts I have made so far with it. I think it would be a good match for me. I managed to get this done today after my nap and before picking the kids up from daycare. I used my new Gel-a-tin Weathered Letter stamps for the title and I must say that I love them! I was inspired by Grace's hat in the photo and duplicated the pattern in the border on the bottom. I'm pleased with how it turned out.
I love this photo of Grace and I have been waiting for a while to scrap it. I love photos from behind like this. There is something about the mystery around the subject I think. I was reading on a fellow scrappers layout the other day about this exact thing. She came to the realization that she too loves these photos. She continued to say in her journaling how she realizes now that from the moment a child is born they are walking away from us in one form or another. I love reading other people's realizations that they come to through their scrapbooking. It has happened to me on more than one occasion. It's like cheap therapy!
On a lighter note, I made a page with the photos of Simon eating his ice cream. It's made with 3 Bugs in a Rug paper as well. It will also be part of my entry. That boy sure does love his ice cream! I just wish he was a little neater with it! I guess the photos wouldn't be so good though then. It's a catch 22 really.
I want to also add my congratulations to my wonderful friend Vicki Boutin for winning HOF this year. She is so talented and I didn't for one second think she wouldn't win this year. Her entry was amazing. You rock my friend!
HOF has come and gone. I didn't get a call and I'm okay with that. My friend Vicki talked me into attempting the contest and I'm glad I did. I wasn't sure I could do it. To be honest all the assignments intimidated me. I didn't really think I would finish. I finished one layout and then two. Before I knew it I had six under my belt, six that I was proud of, and I suddenly "needed" to complete my entry. I cut it close but I finished with some time to spare. I never thought I would ever win the contest but as the weeks went on I admit to dreaming of an Honourable Mention. It didn't come and every time the phone rings I still joke that it's Lisa calling to tell me I was a last minute addition to the winners. I still love my entry. I am proud of what I accomplished and I am so excited to hear who the winners are. I hope that some of my friends will be on the list this year. I will continue to do what I do and submit as I see fit. I like the freedom of that right now when life as I know it is hectic and crazy at times.
Grace had a tiny operation yesterday. She had a tongue tie that was getting worse as she got older. She was having difficulty with her "th" sounds and the surgeon said that her gums would eventually pull away from her teeth if we left it. We spent yesterday morning at the hospital where Grace underwent a general anesthetic for the very short procedure. In the end she didn't even need stitches. She was a little teary following the procedure but bounced completely back after about an hour at home. We had to force her into staying inside yesterday.
I admit that taking Grace to the hospital for the tiny surgery was a little unnerving for me. I guess it is memories of Simon's surgery coming back to haunt me. Rationally I know it is nothing and I deal with this every day in my professional life, still I just felt uneasy. I was happy to have her home.
Grace could only eat soft food yesterday so Paul took Grace and Simon off to the grocery store to get some healthy and nutritious ice cream...in three varieties!! It was very well received!
Today we went to Mountsberg Provincial Park to observe the maple syrup making. I'm still trying to warm up! It was only -3 but the wind was cold and this has been a fairly mild winter so I feel like I'm not used to any kind of cold. The kids seemed to enjoy it. I think the stomping through the mud was the best part for them though. It is a beautiful park. We walked out to the Sugar Bush and had a horse drawn wagon ride and watched some maple syrup being made. It's great how when you have kids you learn things that either you never knew before or have forgotten about.
My favourite photos of the day are of an eagle and Grace's muddy boots. I love these family outings although I'm not so fond of the meltdowns when both of them have had enough and are completely tired and probably hungry. Grace had one of those today. Nothing I could say was right and she was screaming and crying all the way back to the car. I know every parent has gone through this at one time or another but it is so difficult to ignore the behaviour and walk in public with your screaming children in tow.
I have found a new way to deal with these breakdowns Grace has though. I let her have her "fit" for lack of a better word for a few minutes and then I ask her if I can give her a hug. She always (so far) agrees to it and then we agree to start over. There is no more talking about the melt down or the events leading up to it. I can't get over how well it works and it is definitely a lesson in restraint for me since I too have to let it all go. She is definitely my spirited child!
Simon is doing well on the potty training and has fully taken to the reward system that we have set out for him. It is funny how he will say he doesn't have to go at all and Paul will say that he can have chips if he "poops" on the potty. I have never seen anyone run so fast to a toilet!! At this point, whatever works is good with me. I'm so sick of the diaper thing!
I think that is all I have to report at the moment. I have read the comments about wanting to see my floor from all 2 of you! LOL! I will try and take some pictures and post it as soon as I can!
A month I guess....wow that's bad. I have been so tired lately. This two job thing is catching up with me I think. I love working with Wendy and my other job....don't love it so much. I love the work I do as a nurse. The politics and abuse we take as nurses I could SO live without. I'm finding the night shifts harder and harder to bounce back from. Hopefully life will settle into a routine sooner rather than later and I can put the nursing thing on a back burner for a while. I wouldn't give it up completely....just do it casually.
Anywho....that said...what else is new? Met up with a bunch of my friends from Scraptivity this past weekend. I am always so thankful for having found an online community of wonderful women that I now call my friends. These have quickly become some of the best friends I have ever had. It's great that we all share the same hobby. I have never laughed like I do when I am with them. I've said it once and I'll say it again...they are good for my soul. I couldn't go a day without a small dose of my friends.
This weekend was a crop and I was proud of myself for not bringing a single thing with me! I find that I never scrap at these things because I am too busy jibber-jabbering my mouth off and catching up with my friends. I often go home with all my supplies, nothing completed. I then have to put everything away again and it is a REAL pain in the neck to do so! After the crop we went for dinner and then to a bar! I haven't been to a bar in probably 10 years at least (besides the odd pub of course). It was an older crowd and fun but I have to tell you that I am so happy to have Paul and not have to go out and try and attract the opposite sex anymore. It's so wonderful to have someone I love to share my life with.
On the home front, Grace has to have a little operation on March 17th. She has a tongue tie and I feel it may be affecting her speech. She can't say the "th" sound right now and can hardly stick her tongue out. The oral surgeon said it will affect her gums in the future if we don't get the procedure done. She has to go under a general for it though so that makes me a little nervous. It's funny how when you are a nurse you are always first a mom when it comes to your kids. I don't feel confident in myself when my kids are sick. It's like I forget that I know things. I guess my knowledge would kick in but it still makes me uneasy.
Grace and I have taken to a new night time ritual. We have started telling little secrets to each other at night when we go to sleep. I have learned more about the way she thinks in the past week through her secrets than I ever have in the past. It mostly revolves around me telling her how much I love her and that I missed her while I was at work. I try and tell her how proud I am of her. Last night she asked me if we could pick flowers in the spring. How cute is that? She also asked me if we could go to a museum and look at the dinosaur bones (one of her recent obsessions).
I am constantly amazed at how much knowledge a child can absorb. Grace has been obsessed the past couple of weeks with learning about dinosaurs and planets. We have been reading about all the planets and she is always telling me dinosaur facts. She has all these songs she learned in school about the dinosaurs and she sings them all the time. I love listening to her. She told Simon the other day that dinosaurs were extinct. I hear Simon say "extinct?" and she goes on to say that it means that they are all dead. Well that started a cry fest. Simon was quite upset.
I got some great photos of Grace with her dinosaurs the other day and I can't wait to scrap them. I also scanned a dinosaur that Grace drew for her friend because she wasn't feeling well. When she brought it over to me I was amazed!
I think I'm done now. This was a long entry. That's what I get for not posting for a month I guess. I realize that this was a very Grace centric post so next time will have to be tidbits about Simon!
So here I am sitting amongst the shambles of our main floor. We are having new flooring installed right now and our life has been turned somewhat upside down. The kids are off the wall and I feel somewhat out of sorts. The floor is looking great so far and will be finished tomorrow so everything should be pretty much back to normal by the weekend or so.
My son Simon has a very strong bond to Paul, my husband. At times it bothers me. I mean a child is supposed to prefer their mother. I have been battling with my feelings about this. On one hand I'm so happy that my husband has such close bonds to his children. I think some of it stems from working shifts. He is the only constant in their lives most of the time. Some days I just feel like crying when I try and put him to bed and he says, "No! Daddy!" But then there are days like today when I realize that Simon really wants his mother around and loves her too.
This morning Grace, Simon, and Paul were standing in the front hall when I came downstairs. I didn't have a direct view of Simon and I hear a little voice say, "Daddy move. I can't see Mommy!" I tell you that was all I needed to make up for all the other times that Simon didn't want to talk to me or to "see" me over his father. It's funny how kids do that to us. One hug, look, or statement can melt your heart and make you forget that you were angry, sad, or or just plain fed up with their antics. Gosh I love them.
Well here we go. I'm jumping on the bandwagon sort of speak. I was feeling like I was missing out on all the fun. Woo hoo!! My first post on my very own blog! I hope that by doing this I will write more and share more with my friends and family about my daily goings on. I will use this spot to post photos I love, new scrapbook pages, and musings about my everyday life. I feel like I am forgetting lately all the cute and wonderful things my kids say and do. I'm hoping that this will help me to jog my memory when the time arises that I am thinking....what was it that Grace or Simon said last week? I don't think I will update on a daily basis but you never know! Stay tuned...
I need to thank a few people though. First to my dear, dear friends Patti and Elia. You are the most amazing friends a girl could ask for. I'm pretty sure that Patti is ready to say "Stop calling me!" We talk a few times a day and still we aren't sick of each other...well I guess I can only speak for myself. These two girls know business like no one else I know and have such high standards for ethics and morals as well. Amazing is all I can say. I'm so privileged to know the two of you much less get to work with you!
If you haven't stopped by already, please do so. If you register in the forum you can download this free class and you will be entered to win a prize package! The deadline for registering for the prize package is April 15th. I can't wait to see you!!
