Paper Pleasing Ideas

How Does One Get So Busy?

Man, my week starts with not a thing on my calendar, and by the end of the week, I have not had a day at home! Doing the job of 2 people is HARD! Keeping the house building business going, as well as the house is taking it's toll.  My house looks like a pig sty, but I am excited to say I have a housekeeper starting next week. Ahhh, more stamping time (I hope). I do have a card to show, but right now, a picture I found on Russ' computer. One that I did not know he had until after he was gone!

 

What a great day that was! This just makes me smile.

Back On The Wagon

Many of you know that I have been on Isagenix since April of 2009. It helped me regain energy, feel better and lose a ton of weight (63 lbs). I enjoy feeling better about myself, even mentally, as I can find clothes that fit. I was feeling good at about 165lbs.

I am a stress eater, though, and while I have continued on with Isagenix, I have been stressed. I was also eating a lot of JUNK. I hate that I allowed this this back in my home, as it was all cleaned out. I did not even buy Halloween candy this year, but the boys brought a TON in, and of course, I share *wink*.

I am back up to 180lbs, which is a 15lb gain. I am actually not as mad about it as you may think.  Fact is, had I not been on Isagenix for the past year and learn how to eat, I would have gained a LOT more. So, I need some accountability, since my hubby is no longer here to encourage me in this. (And he was SO GOOD in that way - never made me feel bad about my weight, but kept me in check.)

So, I am letting you know that I am trying to be back on it like I was in the beginning. Snacking is kept to fruits and veggies (yes, I will still be snacking!!), and my meal of the day will be whatever I want! I will be measuring myself as well, to keep track of inches lost.  I have a totally of 20lbs to get to my previous goal (which I never reached, I was happy being 5 lbs away). I have set a goal for mid-January, since I am going to Miami, FL to visit a friend and take the boys to DisneyWorld. I will keep you informed to my progress bi-weekly. If you want to join me, I would welcome some friends journeying with me. Isagenixtruly saved me, and I would not recommend ANYTHING that I did not believe in. You can join my facebook group HERE, and become my FRIEND. Here is just one of the greatest successes that I had a small part in!

Here's to my (and your) health. 

Cherry Cobbler Wedding

I feel so good when I stamp, but for some reason, I have such a hard time getting to my craft room. Yesterday, though, I finished up a card for a friend. The wedding colors were a mocha and deep red, and here is what I ended up with.

 

I really like how it turned out and these colors are STUNNING together. Who knew ?!? I stamped the flourish from Baroque Motifs(#113490) in soft suede on the same CS, and then sponged the edges.  The 3 panels on top are 3.5 X 1 inch with the cherry cobbler pieces being 3/16 smaller on two ends.  I rubbed the suede on the ink pad, but sponged the cobbler with the same ink.  Then I added the vanilla satin ribbon (#117291) in a gift box tie.

I punched my Scallop Trim and Corner (#118402, #118870) mat using THIS TUTORIAL in vanilla.  On the suede layer, I used the ticket corner punch (#119867) and then pierced around te edge, using the mat pack (#105826) for spacing.  I then sponged the edge in the same ink, and added the stamped frame from Just Believe (#120453, clear : #116948, wood).  The sentiment was stamped in cobbler using Teeny Tiny Wishes (#115370).

The flower was made using THIS TUTORIAL, the scallop circle punch(#119854), and an Antique Brad (#117273). I did sponge the edges before I put it together to make it fit the theme of the card. Hopefully I can get back into it, because I really enjoy myself. Tootles, have fun and happy stamping!!

 

Grey Cup 2010 - Green Baby !!

I created a badge for people to use, on facebook, cell phones, where ever you want.  Click on the picture, and then right click to save to your computer.

 

Hope you have a great Grey Cup Sunday!!

 

Biggest Question

It is 4 am and I cannot sleep. That usually doesn't happen, since I nerve tonic from the naturopath, but tonight there are just too many things, so I thought I share here.  This is the BIGGEST question I get asked.

Them : "So, how are you doing?"

Me : "I'm OK"

Them : "No, REALLY, how are you doing?"

Me : "REALLY, I'm OK."

At this point I see the look and it can mean various things, I'm sure, for different people. One means, "Aww, that poor girl is in denial," another looks like "She is FLAT OUT lying." and the other look is, "She doesn't look like she is in enough pain to have lost her husband, hmmm I wonder how their relationship was?"

This is what I FEEL (keep this in mind, they do not voice this), though I do not answer those looks. It just isn't worth it. First off, not in denial. I live in my house, the one that is very empty, and I feel that emptiness EVERYDAY. Secondly, not lying, and the third thing results in it's own explanation.

This sucks, the whole situation TOTALLY STINKS.  Yes, I miss my husband like a part of me is literally ripped out of my chest. There is a hole that only God can fill. I loved Russ with my whole being, not just my heart.

 I could choose to be angry, or go into a depression state and fall apart. But I choose to find the joy in my situation. Falling apart doesn't help anyone, especially not my two boys. This does not mean that I am not grieving, or that I didn't love Russell enough. While Dylan and Jayden do see my tears at times, I save my weeping for the bedroom at night.  They do not need to hear that, nor experience MY pain. I choose to let God comfort my ache and even in this situation,

I AM OK ... REALLY.

I will not take credit for this, though.  While I do have to make the choice, it is also the COUNTLESS prayers that are being lifted daily on our behalf.  This is YOU bringing me and the boys to the Throne Of Grace and trusting that God will do what he always does, comfort and heal. In my prayers at night, I thank God for all of you, because I know that it would be a lot harder to do it on my own strength. Impossible, really. God, though, does not leave us in these situations to deal with it on our own.  He sends wonderful people to pray, so that He can be the one I fall into. I cannot ever thank you enough for your prayers, they mean the world to me.

Good Thing For Heat !

 

Yes, I send my kids out in this weather.  See down by the Wind Chill on the right?  One more degree, and the buses would not have run! -40C is the cut off.  We never go by the big number there under current conditions, it is like it does not exist.  The only number that matters in winter here is the wind chill factor.  That temperature for those in the states is -38.2F.  Anyone coming for coffee today?

Christmas Shopping ...

Officially Done !!

Yep, I am so excited to have everything done, now I just have to do the wrapping.  That is something I can't do too early, though, because I don't trust Jayden enough to leave them under the tree ... lol. He is already asking to open them, and he can't even see them! How far are you, or are you going to leave it until the 24th? Tootles, have fun and happy shopping!

Totally Random Questions

 I saw this on facebook and snagged it for here.  You can copy and paste to your blog, and then link back here, so I can get to know you a bit better.

1)Favorite board game : Settler's Of Catan (best game EVAH)

 2) Would you prefer to read a book or watch the movie ? depends on the genre

 3) Share one of your bad habits....don't be shy, we all have at least one : If I didn't have gel nails, I would have no nails.  I am such a biter!!

 4) How did you meet your significant other? He was my boss, I married up

5) Do you tend to prepare or procrastinate? Complete procrastinator, I need the pressure to finish.  If I prepare, then I ALWAYS forget something.

6) What pet name does your significant other have for you? I will never for get what he called me in the hospital "The love of my life"

7) Potato Chips or Corn Chips? both, depends on my mood

8) Coffee or Tea? neither, hot chocolate 

9) What's your home decorating style? Messy, I have 2 boys and will deocrate when they grow up!

10) What color is your kitchen? Natural maple cabinets with milk chocolate brown paint 

11) What does your go-to Chinese take out order consist of? Chop Suey, and ginger beef over noodles 

12) What time do you typically go to bed? around 11

13) MAC or PC? totally PC

14) What is your favorite Christmas movie? The Nativity Story 

15) What was your favorite class in school? English, I love to read 

16) Do you read the newspaper? nope

17) Have you ever been to Africa? No, maybe one day 

18) Are you allergic to anything? If so, what? Too many things to name 

19) Where did you go on your honeymoon? Disneyland was the final destination, but we drove down from Saskatoon and were gone about 10 days.

 

There was more questions, but I will answer them on another post. Tootles, and have a great day!!

One Month Ago

I lost my best friend. It is amazing how life changes, and though some days it feels like forever, most days I just wish Russ was back here. But, I am not the only one!!  There are so many hurting people that I have been praying for, who have also lost family recently.

It is almost overwhelming all the stuff that has to be done after someone passes. Ihave been extraordinarily blessed! Everything that we owned was in both our names, and since we had a current will, nothing had to be probated. My work has been taking his name off of things and that is hard. Going to the bank to close and change accounts, loans, land titles, everything. I'm not looking forward to changing over the car insurance, though.  He had a WAY BETTER driving record than me ... hehehe.

P.S. - this photo was before I lost all my weight!

Tonight, I am helping lead a couple songs in a Zumba class. It will be good to get out of the house (for fun) and shake my thang! A night out with friends is always a smile maker. Tootles, hope you are having a GREAT day!!

 

Mini Accordian Album Tutorial

I spent 6 hours on the road yesterday day bringing our new dog to school. It was a great distraction and I am getting excited to bring him home after his training at TrailRunners. He will be finished 2 days after Christmas, so that will be my gift this year. The boys are excited to have a new friend to play with out here, and I will post pictures then. In spite of that, I finished up the tutorial, and here it is for you.

You need 2 sheets of 12 X 12 CS and a scrap or DSP at least 6 inches wide to start with. Cut one of the sheets into 5 X 12 and 4.75 C 12. The left over strip will be the band. Then cut another 4.75 X 12 strip off of the other sheet. That left over piece is not needed, and it can go back into your scrap folder.

Score the 5 X 12 piece at 2.5, 3, 8 and 8.5. Fold as pictured and this becomes your album cover.

  Take the two 4.75 X 12 pieces and score them at 4.75 and 9.5. Then fold them as pictured and lay them out on the largest middle section of the cover. It will be a little big and you may have to trim a smidgen off of the two smallest portions on these pieces. When you glue them on, they should be just shy of the edge.  hat way, when you fold them in, they won't hang out of the completed album. I trimmed a little more than was necessary, as you can see by the gap after I glued it, but that is not a big deal, since that will be covered with your mat, and photos.

The you can glue the DSP to the front bottom flap of the cover - this will be the biggest flap. Now it is time to make your and to hold it altogether. Score the narrow strip that was left over at 1.5, 2 1/8, 7 1/4, and 7 7/8. Each score mark gets bigger by 1/8 of and inch to make room for the expanding that will occur when you add your photos and embellies.

Then add a bit of glue to the edge and adhere. Try to make it as square as possible, so it fits nice. Be cause of the added room, this band will be a little loose until it is completed. Here are the shots of a couple finished ones.

 

The girly version.

 

Another masculine version. Here is the inside of a finished one. Please link back here after you make them, so I can go and check it out! Tootles, have fun and happy scrappin'.