Sunday, January 31, 2010

Homemade Chiropractic work

Hunny's back is out again. It happens every so often, and is a pain in the neck. Literally. He can't even turn his neck right now! Of course, this happens at a time when we just can't quite afford that trip to the chiropractor, so he has been left up to his own devices and his own ways of dealing with it.

So he tries laying on the floor. The he tries to crack his own back against the corner of a wall. Then he tries to stretch his arms as high as possible. Then he tries to give himself whiplash by swinging his neck around. He even goes so far as to stretch out on the couch and ask his middle child to pull on his arms as they dangle to the floor! When that didn't help, he got B to sit on his back!



Bryn has no idea what he's doing or why, but he's finding it fun! He knows that his job is important and he's proud of his part in it! He even enjoys the bouncing on Dad's back bit too! He didn't get told by me, "STOP! Do not hop on pop!" *smile*

Hunny said it only helped a bit. But a bit is better than nothing at all. Since he woke up with it out, hopefully he'll wake up with it In again soon.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

I don't know what's worse...

~That we ran out of ketchup and I'm wondering how to get my 3yo to eat food without it.

~That there is a dead oppossom in our backyard. This is a picture of one. This isn't the one in our backyard; this one is alive. It seemed inappropriate to take a photo of the dead one, no matter how un-gross it looked. This one is cute. *


~That my Hunny is sick and it looks like he's taking me down with him.

~That the underwire in my nice fancy bra is poking me in places I don't like.

*the oppossom in our backyard was situated perfectly behind the kid's "treefort" (I use quotations b/c it's not in a tree) just close enough to freak them all out! (and myself) I was surprised at how big they are. They're like white raccoons! I remember seeing one in my neighbour's evergreen tree years ago and being shocked at how easy I could see it from that distance. Hunny said he'll get rid of it for us---he's going to throw it over the fence. (hahaha! just kidding, Jenny!)

**PS...are they POSSOMS or OPPOSSOMS???

Friday, January 22, 2010

Wii like to play

Wii like to have fun.



Wii are learning to share and take turns.



Wii are trying to learn to be good sportsmen and good losers.



Wii play better without any shirts on.



Just before Christmas, MIL said that there was a good deal on Wiis somewhere and were we interested. Hunny and I exchange glances. Were we? Uhm. No, not really. We explained that we're not really "video game people". We don't care about Wii or Nintendo or Play Station or anything cool like that. It's just not something we're into. So we politely declined.

A week later, she asks us what we'd like for Christmas, and so I excitedly suggested a gift card so I could get what I wanted. (I've got my heart set on this David*Crowder Band cd!) As it got closer to the 25th, the more happier I was as I thought ahead to my shopping trip and my many nights stamping and listening to some good music. Then the Big Day. There was a large box for Hunny & I from MIL, which I didn't think too much of. Until we opened it and discovered a Wii. Yep, she didn't heed our advice and we are now Wii owners!

At first, we pondered what we were going to do. Should we return it for something else? Instead, Hunny decided to give it a try. After all, we'd heard how it's a good family activity and I'd love to try the Wii Fitness and get a good workout. So the next day (yes! he decided quickly!) Hunny went out and picked up new games and found some good deals on the accessories, and that night it was all set up and we were good to go!

It turns out that it's been a good gift for us! The kids love playing (although they're still learning to share and how not to get upset when they lose) and it's been fun. However, I still have yet to play longer than just one attempt at shooting ducks! I'd love to get a chance to try too! *smile*

Monday, January 18, 2010

Let the waters rise

Yep, another one. Another song that I'm listening to. This one isn't on the radio much, but when it is, it is so beautiful to listen to. I still prefer to listen to it on YouTube as I can listen to it over and over and over again (not that I do that, nope, not me!) It also gives me a chance to actually listen to the lyrics; to feel them. These speak to me. This is how I feel right now.



Let the waters rise~ Mikeschair


Don't know where to begin
Its like my world's caving in
And I try but I can't control my fear
Where do I go from here?

sometimes its so hard to pray
When You feel so far away
But I am willing to go
Where you want me to
God, I trust You


There's a raging sea
Right in front of me
Wants to pull me in
Bring me to my knees
So let the waters rise
If You want them to
I will follow You
I will follow You
I will follow You

I will swim in the deep
'Cuz You'll be next to me
You're in the eye of the storm
And the calm of the sea
You'll never out of reach

God, You know where I've been
You were there with me then
You were faithful before
You'll be faithful again
I'm holding Your hand


There's a raging sea
Right in front of me
Wants to pull me in
Bring me to my knees
So let the waters rise
If You want them to
I will follow You
I will follow You
I will follow You

God Your love is enough
You will pull me through
I'm holding onto You
God Your love is enough
I will follow You
I will follow You


There's a raging sea
Right in front of me
Wants to pull me in
Bring me to my knees
So let the waters rise
If You want them to
I will follow You
I will follow You
I will follow You


*my fave lines are bolded.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

in yur howze tucheen yur stuff

(like my title...LOLz Cat style? I really really suck at purposely trying to misspell! Really! I'm a stickler when it comes to spelling. When I am chatting with friends and they're using those ridiculous abbrev. or misspelling (like kewl instead of cool or hugz instead of hugs. seriously? if you're going to use the same amount of letters, why not use the right ones?? I just don't get it!) I'm spelling things out fully and properly! I'm a kill joy I guess! It's a good thing I can type fast! lol Moving along....)

It was my Bestest Favouritest Sister's birthday this week. She turned 30! It's crazy to think that! While I know we're all going to get older and that the "circle of life" continues and it's all good and such, the idea of my family getting older makes me sad. I am so not ready to say goodbye to anyone!!!! :( Yeah, I know, it's a *bit* bizarre way of thinking since it's not like any of us are OLD or anything. It's an issue I'm still working out! lol Moving along....

So, it was my Favouritest Sister's birthday this week. She went away with a group of friends to a cabin this weekend to celebrate. It was a surprise that her husband put together...until he spilled the beans or she guessed! Either way, she was in on it within a few days! LOL Oh well. Still fun no matter if it's a surprise or not. We were invited (well, sans children) but had to decline due to lack of sufficient funds. That sucked. Here's hoping 2010 is more, well, prosperous for us!

Since it was her 30th, which is pretty special, I felt crummy that I couldn't participate in celebrating her. So I was racking my brain trying to figure out someway to make it fun from me. Then it came to me. I had the keys to their condo from when they went to Mexico over Christmas and I took care of their cat...h'mm...I see an opportunity here.

The boys helped me shop and Abi helped me decorate last night! We got 30 small gifts for her and 30 balloons and had fun! *big grin* We left a big card that Abi made on their table, which they'll see right away, plus a note saying:

Happy 30th Birthday Surprise, Julie!

Scattered throughout your house you will find many gifts. But can you find them all? There are 28 wrapped gifts plus 2 unwrapped.

Have fun searching!




We then proceeded to unload all the balloons into their office. (it had to be a room that the door is typically closed, so that the cat doesn't get into them and pop a bunch! Although it sounds funny, coming home to broken balloon bits may be a bit unexciting!) How many balloons can you see in the picture? There is supposed to be 30 in total. (totally filling a room and having them tumble out when she opened the door would've been more fun, but you need a door that opens towards you, and most doors here open in. phooey)


I wonder how long it takes her to find all the gifts? Abi & I were nice and left a few out in the open, but then a few were more tricky! Did she find the one in the microwave?*


or the freezer?




or the one hidden in her unmentionable drawer?



or the one hidden behind her pillow?*



or the one hidden between the curtains on her bathtub?*


or the one under the cushion on the chair?*



* Abi had some clever hiding places! Gus-Gus didn't trust us and watched us with guarded curiosity! He ran and hid when I tried to pet him!




I'm excited about this surprise and can't wait to hear from Julie when she comes home! I hope she was just as excited abut it too! (and not feeling annoyed or inconvenienced!)

WE LOVE YOU, AUNTIE JULIE!!!!


PS> thanks for the yummy toffee! *big smile*
PPS> don't turn on your oven without looking inside first! just sayin'!
PPPS>please ignore the Christmas wrapping paper. Oddly, I still have bits of it left but no Birthday wrap. What's up with that?

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Chocolatey-Orange goodness

My friend, D, posted a challenge on her blog, Prairie Papercrafts & Stamps, a few days ago, and I knew I'd have to partake in it! She gave two photos to draw inspiration from, but to be honest, that's not the way I went! I stayed with the colours though, and was going to go with flowers (for one of the pics) but found a really cute card that I wanted to CASE here! (gosh, I love BDub's style!)

The challenge was to create a papercraft project using Chocolate and Orange as the main colours. Yay! I love the colour orange and I like lots of orange foods (carrots, peaches, cheese, peppers, mandarines, etc) and I love love love Chocolate! What's not to enjoy about this challenge? Oh, except it isn't the colours I want to work with right now. Harumph. Chocolate and Orange don't scream to me "lets count down til spring"! LOL But I made it work! I'm good like that! So here you go, here is my contribution.


This uses the retired (*sob*) Haiku DSP, as well as a single stamp So Glad, which isn't in the latest IBAC but on the dormant list (so it can still be ordered from me! go ahead, I don't mind!). The card also uses Chocolate Chip 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, and Pumpkin Pie and Very Vanilla (b/c I didn't have any So Saffron ribbon b/c it's not available. *sob*) 1/4" grosgrain ribbon. Oh and a lovely silver brad. :)

This card makes me happy.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

the way to live for 2010

I saw this on another blog and discovered it's full version and the author. This is something to think on. Maybe a way to to start living for 2010.

The Paradoxical Commandments
by Dr. Kent M. Keith

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.


it's the thing to do apparently

Abi told me what was happening in her classroom. She even named two of her classmates. On two separate occasions, with her own eyes, she saw it at lunchtime. It was neat. It was cool. And she liked it.

Then she asked me a piercing question. "Mom, why can't you do that for me?"

The challenge was out.

Of course, I couldn't do it right away. I didn't want to appear too eager. Or heaven forbid, have her think I was doing it just because she asked me to. It had to be real.

But I did it.

And today, in her lunch, was a (not so) secret banana message for her. Now she can be like the other two girls. Life is good!



Did you know that writing a message on a banana in pen is the Thing to Do these days? I wonder how my Hunny would feel if I sent a graffitti'd banana in his lunch? Abi did it as a nice surprise to Kai the other day, but at the end of school, he was all disgusted and asked why she had to write that she was "in love with" him on his banana? Apparently that is NOT the "thing to do" in grade One. Just grade Three. Good to know.

I'll make a note of that.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

new found talent

I was just starting to make dinner one day when Rhys came crawling into the kitchen. He's getting quite fast on those knees of his! The stool is beside me..it's a rather large stool and takes up a lot of room, but well, I'm not-quite-tall and it helps having it! I don't pay too much attention to Baby Honey as he's always on the go. However, this Go wasn't expected.

Look who's got a New Found Talent???



He is so proud of himself too! It surprised me though! He makes me smile. What a cutie!

Snow Night

So the Olders are back in school again. It was a bittersweet feeling. On one hand, I like having them home, but I wonder if it has more to do with my own selfishness. After all, having them home means I get to sleep in, that I don't have to go drive them to school or pick them up, or plan things around school hours, or make lunches! And having them home means they play with the Youngers and take care of them so that I can sleep in. (oh, did I say that already? *ahem*) So having them home is a bit more for my convenience then anything! But I also really love having the opportunities to create new family memories. Of course, being the typical family we are, oftentimes our days are "wasted" with regular playing of toys and watching movies and running around everywhere and less time on family together activities. But I'm working on it! Some blogs I read blow me away at how other families work!

I remember the first day back to school in 2009, it turned out to be a Snow Day and school was cancelled! Fun for the kids! Not so much so this year though. We haven't had snow in a few weeks. So sad. The night we did, I took advantage of it and created a Family Memory. (although I'm not too sure the kids will really remember it later in life, lol! It wasn't THAT amazing!)

I'm a Home Body and like to stay inside and read or write, so I'm usually the one to tell the kids to come inside if it's raining or snowing! But not this night! I thought I'd do differently! So the kids ran around trying to find all the snow pants and mittens (good thing I had just pulled them out a few days earlier in preparation for winter), attempted to stuff themselves into them, and ran out into the front yard! They were in such a hurry I think they were worried the snow would stop and suddenly disappear! Either that or they were concerned I'd have a change of heart and demand they all come back inside because it was so much work! Hard to say.

Did I mention this happened just before bed also? When they should've been scrambling to find their jammies and been fighting with me to stay up just a bit longer? Yeah. I'm a good mom like that. *smile*








It was all fun and games until the Olders decided it would be funny to throw snowballs at their nice, fun, sweet, loving, gentle, innocent Mom. The one who gave them birth.



It looks like he's gearing up for a quick wrist snap of a snowball at me, doesn't it?



Eek! hide me!

Alright, it's time to come in! That's it!

Friday, January 1, 2010

SAB sneak-peek! alternatively titled: So much GOOD to tell you about!

One of the best things about being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator is, not only being able to see some of the new sets beforehand, but also being able to do a pre-order sale! In December, I picked up a set from the up-coming Sale-A-Bration (SAB) that runs from Jan 5- March 31, 2010. Yes, you read that correctly! This baby runs for THREE months now! Can I get a woot! woot!

Don't know what the heck I'm talking about? Well, only the Biggest and Best sale that SU! holds annually. It usually runs during February and March, but this year it's included January so you can maximize your freebies! But not only that, SU has included other regular catalogue sets in for free!

The deal is that for every $65 you spend (from the regular IBAC---Idea Book & Catalogue---or the NEW Occasions Mini that is coming out on the 5th as well, or the Definitely Decorative catalogue---which contains our Decor Elements line and has a NEW insert coming out on the 5th also---or a combination of all three) you can pick one FREE Sale-A-Bration product of your choice! There are 4 exclusive stamp sets, one huge Designer Series Paper pack, and one border punch in our NEW fold-down design! (all of these are exclusive to SAB and will not be available after the sale ends...so if you like 'em, better get 'em!) PLUS, there are a good 70 stamp sets from the IBAC to choose from!

For my pre-order, I managed to snag the new set, Good Neighbours. It's an adorable set of houses and trees for 2-step stamping. So I have to pull out my Stamp-A-Majig. Oh goodness, this is a cause of consternation for me! I have yet to master this silly thing! I think I'd rather have my stamps crooked from my own doing than have then on a slant when they're not supposed to be b/c of my misuse of this tool!!! Despite that frustration, I managed to make these cute card fronts:






I mentioned they are Card Fronts...which means they aren't, well, obviously, full cards to be mailed out! Just the fronts! That is because I made them for an SAB Swap I am doing with some fellow demonstrators in my upline. Or was. I'm not too sure anymore. :( I made 10 of these cute things (which I am particularly fond of!) and don't know if the swap is taking place anymore. Phooey. Oh well. I guess I can always make them into full cards and use them myself. Aren't they great?




The card front uses two items from the SAB catalogue: the new Good Neighbours stamp set (as I mentioned) and the new Scallop Trim border punch. I like this thing! I'm not at all happy with the idea of it being unavailable after the sale though, so I"m hoping SU changes things and adds it to the new catalogue that will come out in July 2010! (demos aren't privvy to all the info, so something like that may just be a surprise to us too!)

recipe: Good Neighbours set, Whisper White c/s, Bermuda Bay c/s, Rich Razzleberry c/s, So Saffron c/s, Bermuda Bay ink, Rich Razzleberry ink, Old Olive ink, So Saffron ink, Melon Mambo ink, Soft Suede ink, Soft Suede polka-dot grosgrain ribbon, Scallop Trim Border punch.

Are you looking for some FREE stuff too??? Email me to place an order! themadstamper @ shaw dot ca. If you want to hostess (which I would love also!) my special this month of January is to receive a package of the NEW Epoxy brads (in the new Occasions mini) for FREE...just for hostessing!

click HERE to see the SAB catalogue



click HERE to see the Spring mini catalogue

click HERE to see the IBAC catalogue


click HERE to see the first DD brochure and HERE to see the insert below.



I'll send you any of the catalogues if you would like a hard copy in your hand too. It's hard to shop when you can't see them too well online. If you're like me, you like to see them closer..and whenever you want! Just ask and you'll receive! *smile*

not so crazy anymore.

At the beginning of December, I had elluded to a possible "surprise" and change coming to our family. I thought it would be fun to tease and hold you all in excited suspense. I guess I underestimated the intensity some of you savages have! LOL I had some friends who kept asking, "are you going to tell me yet?" " can I have a hint?" and "when will we know?"

Well, I am here today to tell you that.....

I don't have anything to say.

Sorry.

Plans fell through Big Time, and I am still handling my disappointment. And to be honest, I'm not ready to talk about it yet. But I will. I will need to get it out. But right now, I'm just posting this so you know.

There isn't a surprise. Anymore.
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