My Birthday and The Present

I have been really under the weather for the last week with a nasty sinus cold, achy body and sore throat and I just can't seem to shake it. As I write this I am sipping yet another cup of Neo Citran and hoping it will allow me to get some sleep tonight. Sigh....

So I was actually sick on my birthday last week (October 2) which is always a downer. But we had already celebrated by going out to dinner a few nights earlier and my sweet Hubbie gave me a gift certificate for a nearby salon and spa. Bless him...I hope he is willing to babysit parent while I go and be pampered! And Grayson actually wrote his name inside the card the boys gave to me. I was delighted and it will definitely be a keeper! (Although Grayson has always loved to read he has shown little interest in holding a pencil and writing letters or his name. But after just a few weeks in Pre-K he is writing it like a pro. So much for MY teaching abilities, eh?)

But one of the best presents I got was to reflect on "The Present". Last October 1st, the fabulous Stacy Julian wrote a blog post that challenged scrapbookers to 1) capture a little slice of their "Present", 2) to carry that little album with them for a year and 3) to document the experience one year later. I liked the way it coincided with my birthday and the idea of giving yourself a present, so I made up this little album.

 

I included several recent pictures in it and lived with it for the past year. It sat on my bedside table and it was browsed through and enjoyed often. Then on October 1 of this year, Stacy wrote another post and asked us to reflect on and create a layout about the experience.  So, I pulled the pictures out of the album and made this layout:

   

                                    

(My apologies, because I can't seem to photograph my layouts for love nor money!)

I pulled all the pics that focused on the important people I had in my album and wrote about what had happened in our lives over the past year. It was so neat to see the differences in the boys and even in myself. I thought about what we all had accomplished, the challenges we had faced and where we are right now. And the cool part is that I think I have crafted a new tradition for my birthdays...from now on it will be a time to reflect not only on my age, but on the experiences I have had in the previous year and the ones I want to have in the coming year. From now on, The Present will be my own birthday present to myself.

Lots of scrapbookers took part in this project and if you would like to see their layouts check out this Flickr Gallery. Thanks Stacy for providing continuous inspiration!

October 1st

October is by far my favorite month of the year! (and not only because it's my birthday month!) Fall is in full swing, there is enough bite in the air to break out the fall sweaters, pumpkins and pumpkin flavours abound and we get to celebrate Thanksgiving AND Halloween! Two holidays set in one great month - how can you not love that!

Anyway, on this October 1st I:

* am under the weather with my first sinus cold of the season and it's a doozy

* am still enjoying the view of the fall colors out my windows:  out the back -

and the front -

* am lamenting the fact that because of said cold I will have to miss out on my first book club meeting where they will be discussing this book that I really loved:

* made two batches of orange playdough for Grayson's Pre-K class (I will post more pics, the recipe and the how-to's another day.)

* plan to settle in to read the newest CK issue which landed in my mailbox today! (love the Ali Edwards LO on the cover)

* have to start putting away the sandals and getting out the socks and shoes (I try not to wear socks from April 'til October!) I guess I have to start in on the closet swap as well

* so thrilled that the ever inspirational Stacy Julian launched her own website today!

* am hoping to reflect on this little album which I made based on a prompt from Stacy one year ago and to make a layout about how things have changed in year since then

* debating whether or not to take Ali's class at Big Picture Scrapbooking. It starts today. I have so many things going on in the next few months but it looks like she isn't teaching it again next year. I can always put all the info away until I can really sink my teeth into it. Hemming and hawing...

* am feeling a little guilty (and overwhelmed) about not getting to the mile long TO-DO list for Sharing Memories Scrapbooking. I have to finish a tutorial, figure out the shopping cart software and start on the October newsletter. (I probably should be doing all that instead of blogging, eh?)

* am craving yet another Pumpkin Spice Latte. Maybe Hubby will be sweet and bring one home to sick lil' ole' me! (are you reading this hon?)

What are YOU doing on this fine October 1st? Whatever it is, have a great day!

CZ Rocks!

Just perusing Cathy Zielske's blog and came across 2 things I hadn't seen before...

1) A download for a year's worth of cute little journaling tags that you can use to make a year's highlight mini-album

2) A link to this New Moon trailer spoof which is quite funny!




Thanks CZ...you made my day!

Live Inspired

Just wanted to share a little something this morning. I receive the quote of the week from Compendium Inc., a brilliant company that sells a huge variety of stationary items and books with inspiring messages. This morning I received an email with a coupon and a link to a video based on their book "5".

http://www.live-inspired.com/the5book/index.html

The video is short and it served to remind me that life continues on no matter what you do with. The question is, What are YOU going to be doing in 5 years? Time will pass no matter what, so how are you going to make the most of it? In 5 years I will be 47 (approaching 50!!!) and what do I want to accomplish in that time? What do I want to do? Where do I want to go? Perhaps it's time to sit down and make that 5 year goal or to-do list I have been meaning to get to! I have been so caught up in the busy-ness of having a pre-schooler and a baby around the house that I have forgotten to plan and dream for myself. It's high time I would say!

Watch the video for yourself and see if it inspires you to think about the next 5 years!

(PS..If you are inspired to purchase anything, use the coupon code 5BOOK55 to receive 20% off your entire purchase...good for today only!)

Have an inspired day!

Menu Plan Monday and Other Foodie Things.

We are having a slow start to our week around here...it's 10:00am and we are all still in our PJ's! We slept in until 8:30 which was a welcome treat! Anyway...I'm on my second cup of coffee and getting organized for a very busy week ahead! It's so nice to be back blogging and having a place to jot down my efforts at getting organized -I like being able to refer back to them!) Here's the menu plan for the week:

Monday: Sesame Orange Salmon (marinate slamon fillets in a bottled sauce like Knorrs Sesame Orange, or a teriyaki or orange ginger sauce. Bake in oven 400 degrees about 10 -12 minutes or until fish is opaque and flakes with a fork) with rice and broccoli

Tuesday: BBQ chicken, new potatoes and corn on the cob (we still have great, luscious Taber Corn here!)

Wednesday: Tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches (a favorite of Grayson's which we have when Shane is working late!)

Thursday: Skillet Cheesburger Macaroni with veggies and dip

Friday: Pizza and salad

Saturday: Since I will be away at the trade show all day I think it might be takeout or leftovers - whatever is easy after packing up!

Sunday: Baked ham, scalloped potatoes, mixed veg, salad and rolls. And maybe I will try this recipe for a yummy sounding Brown Sugar Cake if I have time!

Don't forget to visit http://www.orgjunkie.com/ for TONNES of menu plans each and every Monday!

2 other quick things relating to food:
I have been thinking about buying a bread maker...I was watching the Shopping Channel on Friday night (yes I know - pathetic!!!) while I was putting kits together and this Wolfgang Puck breadmaker was featured.

Man this thing does everything - breads, cakes, muffins and even jams and jellies. I was SO tempted to buy one but I thought I better do some research. Any thoughts on good breadmakers out there?  I would love to have some info!

Secondly, I am once again thinking about getting an organic produce delivery. I was reading an article  on http://www.treehugger.com/ about a study that saw the levels of pesticides in children's urine drop dramatically in a very short time frame once they started easting organic produce. It really gets you thinking. I try to buy organic strawberries, grapes, and apples since these are among the most contaminated fruits, but you can't always get them, or they are way too expensive. I think it would be helpful and very convenient to have organic fruit and veg delivered to our door. Any recomendations for the Calgary area??? I think I need to do a little more research.

Thanks in advance for any feedback!!!

Five Random Things

Here are a few random things on my mind or on my plate (so to speak!)
1) Fall is definitely here...the cooler temperature and the sight of colorful leaves on the ground today really made that clear!

It means that it is time to start switching over the wardrobes yet again! This is a slow process for me. It seems like I never wear the right clothing during this time of year - not fashion-wise (because I haven't been in fashion for years now) but temperature-wise. A cool morning (9 degrees) can still give way to a hot afternoon (30 degrees!) so I never seem appropriately attired! Anyway, I put away things I know I won't be wearing again today, and pulled out a few items that seem fallish, but not too heavy. I'll continue this process over the next few weeks until all the summer clothes are gone and my fall clothes are all in place. I have to do the boys stuff too, and I am dreading it. Managing children's clothing wasn't something I thought about when we decided to have kids, but it takes up SO much of my time!

2) A lovely thing about fall is Starbucks Pumpkin Spice drinks! YAY!

Picture from http://www.sugarpiefarmhouse.com/chalkboard-love

Normally I don't go to Starbucks (I am not a coffee snob and will pretty much drink any old joe and I just can't justify spending 3 or 4 bucks when I can get a good cup at Tim Hortons for $1.69) but when fall rolls around, I hunt up all the spare change I can find to feed my instatiable lust for pumpkin spice!!!! Hot lattes or cool frappucinos - whatever the weather calls for, I'll have it. And it's the one time of year I actively search out a Starbucks, and the only time my "Grande Getter" iPhone app gets used!!! Yum yum yum!!!

3) Since I love pumpkin in any form almost as much as chocolate, I am super excited to make one of my favorite scrappy gals Margie Romney-Asletts Pumpkin Chocolate-Chip Muffins! I will probably make them after the craziness of this week dies down, so I'll weigh in with the yumminess factor then.

4) I am SO busy putting together page and project paks for next weekends Great Canadian Scrapbook Carnival! I am really excited, and as it gets closer I start to worry that my stuff won't be up to snuff! I do hope it all is well-received! The carnival itself will be so cool with tons of ladies scrapping the days away in the middle of this huge creativity and crafting trade show! If you are in the Calgary area, make sure you come on down - it's at the Round-Up Centre at Stampede Park September 25 and 26, and you can get all the details and a 2 for 1 admission coupon here.

5) I wasted a bunch of time today as I locked myself and the boys out of our Jeep and house today. SO stupid!!! I opened the passenger door and threw my keys and purse on the seat, closed the door and turned to help Grayson get in his door. But it was locked. I must have pushed the lock button on the key remote as I tossed them in. GRRRR!!!! Thankfully we were able to walk to Grandpa's house where we had to wait to be rescued by hubbie who was in Nanton (about an hour away) working on a client's home computer. We were stranded - how aggravating! Once Shane came to get us we headed down to Canadian Tire to get an extra key and a magnetic key-hiding box!!!!!!! At least it wasn't winter. But the worst part was that we were heading to see my mom who I haven't seen in a few weeks since Grayson started school. It'll be another week until I get a chance to see her, which is sad and crazy. But the day ended nicely with my dad and Shane's mom visiting for supper tonight. I made this chicken and stuffing dish. Super easy and really yummy. (I'll be back with the menu plan for the rest of the week tomorrow!!!)

Off to read and relax for a few minutes before bed!! Have a great week!

I'm Baa-aack!

Well, that was short lived, wasn't it? I'm back blogging here because I missed having a spot to jot down random things like conversations with and pics of my kids, things we do as a family, the weather, menu plans, cool things I have found and want to remember and other stuff that has nothing to do with my scrapbooking business. There have been quite a few times in the past few weeks when I just wanted to sit down and write about the day, but didn't feel like I could do that on my Sharing Memories website. And since Fall is my favorite time of year I couldn't pass up the opportunity of having a fall themed blog template!!!!!

Lots has happened in the past few weeks since I last blogged:

• Grayson started school (Pre-K) and is loving it

• He got a haircut for going to school and then I made a mess of it by trying to fix up a few uneven spots!
• Both boys had vaccinations and were pretty miserable afterwards
• Sam has really started walking and now hates being confined

• My cousin found out she was expecting Baby #2!
• We had a wonderful family dinner to celebrate belated birthdays, and went to a BBQ in Bragg Creek, the Highland games in Canmore and Calaway Park over the past few weekends

• I have been using all my spare time to get Sharing Memories Scrapbooking products ready, permits and licenses in place, the website updated and workshops and retreats booked
• We cleaned up the yard for fall/winter
• I stood in line at 7:00 am last Saturday to get a spot in a primo craft fair.
• We started thinking about Halloween costumes - Grayson wants to be a Vampire Sam will go as whatever costume we can find to fit him. Oh...and we have been having fun with The Monster Mash-Up which is sort of like Elf-Yourself!
• We are planning Thanksgiving weekend in Lloydminster, thinking about going on vacation somewhere HOT this fall/winter and booking fun fall activites like Pumpkin hunts at Butterfield Acres.
• Shane and I have been spending a lot of time talking about the future - should we stay where we are and renovate more, purchase a bigger, newer house again or buy a rental/recreational property? Should I go back to work? Should we get a nanny? Which school should Grayson go to next year for K? Will Shane run again in the next election...if so what impact will that have on our family? What kind of vehicle should we be looking at getting to replace the Jeep? Lots of things to talk and think about.
• I have been enjoying the new season of shows on TV. "Glee" is my new favorite, and I have been indulging in my guilty pleasures of So You Think You can Dance Canada, Jon & Kate + 8, America's Next Top Model etc.
• I am getting back into a routine now that the lazy days of summer are over, and especially because Grayson is now in school every afternoon.
• I am cooking and making freezer meals that feel right for fall dinners. Grayson and I are baking more again too.
• We are enjoying an "Indian Summer", with record breaking temperatures (30.4 degrees celsius yesterday!)

Yes, it has been busy and although I was complaining that I didn't have time to update this blog, the truth is I missed having it as a place to jot things down. I may only update occasionally or psot something really quick, but that's OK with me! I'm glad to be back!