Stroll down Memory Lane

I am missing my family in Italy something awful!! These pangs hit me out of no where, and I feel so sad... So when this happens, I have to break out the old photo albums and flip through. My dad has 6 brothers and sisters. He is the oldest of them, and I am the oldest grandchild - on both sides of the family. Then my sister. Then my cousin Stefy and then sweet Angelo (and another 7 children after him!!). I am 7 years older than Angelo, but he is my angel - literally!! I would do anything for this kid (haha - not a "kid" anymore!!). Strange to feel such a connection to someone you have only met a handful of times in your life. Anyway, I found these pics and thought I would post them. The first one is the very first time I went to Italy when I was 10. Angelo was 3. He was my shadow and would not leave me alone. I adored him!! Then again in 1998 when I went to visit. And then again in 2003. Now we are planning a trip back next summer. I am beyond excited!! So this feeling of loneliness will only have to endure a little while longer, before I get to go back and be with everyone again.

Pics, as promised

Here are some pics of my new art work - designed by the lovely and ohhhh so talented Kim Giesbrecht. Gorgeous, huh??!!! I am very proud to display this in my home. Plus my curtains all finally arrived (YEAH!!), and so I have put them up in the living room and great room. Nice to have a more "finished" look to the house. The living room drapes are a chocolate velvet (sooo soft to touch!!) and the great room drapes are linen. Nice and light and crisp looking. Moving forward - slowly, but surely!

Kim to the rescue

I wish y'all could meet my talented, gorgeous gal pal Kim. She is amazing. We met when Ethan and her daughter Taylor started Montessori, over 4 years ago now. The teacher had said something like, "We have never had a problem with a student behaving... blah blah blah", and both Kim and I answered at the same time, "Oh ya - you have not met my kid!". It was love at first sight. Literally. We have been together ever since, and our kids still go to school together. She is one of those people that you are just attracted to - she is kind and generous and funny and her design taste/talents put me to shame!! Her home should be showcased in a designer magazine. Everything flows perfectly. The furniture and pictures and accessories are all to scale, and are all the same hue, with dashes of colour thrown in to make it interesting. Drool. Anyway, Kim has designed two pieces of art work in my house already. One hangs in my dining room and the other hangs in my hallway on the 3rd floor. Now she is bringing over another work of art for my formal living room!! I am soooo excited. This wall has been bugging me since the day we moved in. It is the first thing you see when you come into my house. And it is a HUGE wall! So Kim's canvas is 3 feet by 3 feet. I will post a picture when it is up. The absolute perfect finishing touch for my living room!! Thank you thank you thank you Kim!!! Love you lots!!

A Change of Heart...

Last night Marc and I went out for a bbq. It was an all "adult" night at our friends' farm in South Langley. Okay - I have had a change of heart. They own 3.5 acres of land, and a mini farm (NOT what I want) and this big ol' farm house and a guest house (WHAT I want). It was amazing being on such a big property!! You could breathe, you know?! You could move. There were at least 20 of us there, and it felt like one or two. So the gorgeous show home down the street is out. Don't get me wrong - I absolutely adore the West Coast style house, but the land is not big enough. Not even close!! So, I will stick to my original plan, and we will stay here for at least two more years, and then search for our chunk of land and build build build!! I like when I get clarity!!

Life is moving too fast

I have not been able to keep up this past week. I just don't know what is going on. I feel out of control - the WORST feeling for me. The holiday on Monday threw me off, and I have not recovered. Isabella's third birthday is next Sunday. Already! Where has the time gone? I just sent the invitations out today. Totally a week behind schedule. I don't have the party planned yet - again, NOT like me (except for the cake!!! Thank you Marina!!!). It just all seems overwhelming right now. I spent the day yesterday running around to Ethan's new school to get him registered out of catchment, and Isbella's new pre-school to get her registered and the tuition paid. More $$ gone... But I don't begrudge spending money on private education - or any type of education. Just hurts sometimes... It took 4 1/2 hours of my time to get those two issues solved yesterday. That is basically all I did yesterday. Thank goodness that I only work 2 days a week and was able to get to this. I mean, there are only 4 1/2 more weeks of school before the year is over and summer is upon us. I should have dealt with these issues months ago. Again, something I cannot understand for the life of me why it was not done sooner. Some days I feel I am not cut out to be a "working" mom. I have to do one or the other. Some days...

Anyway, here is Isabella's invitation. Tammy designed it. It is super sweet. The "hard" copies have ribbon and pink Primas attached to them. Totally Isabella.

More scrappin'

Need to keep up to date with the layouts. I had not completed an Easter layout for the children yet. It was seriously bothering me! So I saw a layout last week that Caroline had done and I was inspired by the hearts. I hand drew mine and cut them out. Totally simple layout, but I really like it. The papers are all Crate Paper and the ribbon is Maya Road. The chipboard letters are Heidi Swapp. I used 3 whole products on this layout. My kind of scrappin'!

On a lighter note, you need to check out the summer issue of Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine. I am in there. Ya. Me!! Toooo cool!! It was a real rush to see my work and my name in print. A REAL rush. Never thought it would affect me like that. I don't do this "hobby" to get published. I do it to create a legacy for my children. Something I don't have. I also do it to try and express myself in another form other than law or decorating! But now I must confess - I want to keep submitting my work to see who else will pick it up! It is some sort of personal challenge now! hee hee

Good things come to those who wait

I was taught this as a kid. My family did not believe in "instant" gratification. Work hard and you will be rewarded. Well, that happened to me. So I posted that I made the decision to take the summer off. I felt good about this. I was not sure how our head partner would respond. When I finally talked to him, he was great about it. And then he offered me this: come back in September, still only 2 days a week; a bigger office; and a new position - I am going to take over control of all our taxi companies that the firm runs - we have 5. I am going to buy and sell the cabs; do share transfers; and do all the company work for them. That is it!! That will be all that I will be responsible for!! I am thrilled!! No more plaintiff work. No more ICBC defence work. No more stupid clients complaining to me about how much their lives suck, and yet won't do ONE thing that I tell them to inorder to make their situations better!! Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So I am going to enjoy my summer "vacation" and then in September I am going to go to work and for the first time in, ummm, FOREVER, actually enjoy what I do!! Good things come to those who wait!!

What have I done today??

Not much really!! Kinda like it. I did bring the kids to their swimming lessons and then went to the market and then came home and did three loads of laundry and cleaned all 4 bathrooms and vaccumed and dusted - all before 11 am!! Hmmm. Guess I did do alot!! hee hee And then I scrapped. Just something fun and easy. Took this pic of Isabella a few days ago. The hands on her hips say it all. This girl is soooo sassy. But oh so very sweet also. She is fun. Now I am going to have a rest and then Marc and I are going out to dinner and a movie. We are going to see "The Da Vinci Code". Not really expecting much. Read the book last year and liked the book, but the movies never seem to live up. We will see. Ciao y'all!!

The decision I made today

After going back to work on a part time basis, and paying for a private sitter since January, I decided today to take the entire summer off, and re-evaluate. It will not be worth having Ethan and Isabella stay with the sitter for just a few days a week of work. My "last" day of work will be June 30th. I have been asked to return in September when Ethan goes back to school, but I am not sure that I want to do this. Isabella begins pre-school in September, every Tuesday and Thursday, and I want to participate with her as much as I can. I did it for Ethan, and I have sooo many wonderful memories!! So, we will see what happens. I feel good about this decision. It was not easy to make. The $$ is nice... But honestly, it just won't be worth it after I take into account two children in care plus lunches to pack plus gas plus wardrobe expenses, etc. Life is never straight forward. But I guess if it was, it would not be so exciting!! :)

Some pics, as promised

My curbing was finished last week, and this morning they came to seal it. It looks sooo good!! So here are some pics of my finished front garden. Well, maybe finished... I really really don't like to garden. So my plants are simple. But I do love pots with flowers, so I have these dalias and geraniums in about 5 huge terra cotta pots all over the front garden and front porch. They really add a splash of colour and are super simple to take care of. And in September when they all die, I just throw them out and put the pots in the garage for the winter! Totally my kind of gardening! I am still looking for more cast iron urns. I moved the two I had to the back yard and planted miniature pines in them. They look really cool. But something is still missing... So for now I will let the front garden settle in on me, and I am sure by the end of the summer I will have it perfect - just in time to take it all down!!

A wedding!! A wedding!!

Oh how I LOVE Italian weddings!! When I was a kid, I swear that at least once a month we were always going to a wedding. They are a hoot!! And the food is to die for!! Well, we have not had a good wedding around here in forever. My sister's wedding was the last one - almost 8 years ago... But that is about to change. Marc's cousin Ian is getting married in July and the invitation arrived this morning. Soooo excited!! You see, Marc's aunt Connie is Italian - his uncle married "out of culture", and Marc followed in his footsteps!! We are the two "imports" in the family, and we stick together like glue!! hee hee We also bring much needed culture to the family!! :) So we are in for a good ol' Italian wedding. And the best part - I get to go shopping for new outfits for the family to wear!! You can't just show up in any old thing!! Please. Already have it planned out. Love love love weddings!!!

Thanks in advance

I just want to thank two special ladies, in advance. Tammy - thank you for the constant willingness to help me!! And Marina - you have NO idea what stress you have taken off my shoulders!! You two women are fabulous. Many many hugs!!

My pretty little head hurts

You know, when I was at SFU, I studied German for 3 years. I did it for fun. I did not plan on doing anything with it. Just something different. I like the gutteral sounds. I like how half the time you sound like you are cursing, but you aren't!! hee hee I also studied French and Spanish - but those were no brainers. But I digress. Anyways, last week a client came to the office to begin the process of probating his step-mother's Will. Pretty run of the mill. Until he says that his step-mother is German and her entire family still resides in Austria!! Ummm, okay.... Stupid me opens my big mouth and says, "hey - I studied German in university and was really good at it". Ya - 13 years ago!! So tonight I am translating a probate letter from English into German to send to the relatives in Austria to make them aware that the will is being probated here in British Columbia. I soooo did not sign up for this kind of headache!! My pretty little head hurts....

It's curbing day

In each and every house that we have owned, we have done decorative curbing in the front yard. Well, the tradition continues. After a mix up with pricing, the curbing company is coming today to do our front gardens! I am very excited about this. I dislike - greatly - gardening. I don't have a green thumb. I like things that are neat and simple to care for. We have already taken out a few plants that the landscaper gave us - I had no idea what they were. And we have spread the bark mulch to keep the weeds away. I hate looking at dirt. Now the curbing will keep everything in it's place and make it all tidy looking and I can then turn my focus to the back yard. Yikes. That is a project and a half... So I will post my pics at the end of the day!! Now I still need a few extras - some english style lanterns for the along the garden, and two more cast iron urns for flowers. But step by step. Hmmm - maybe I can get my mom to buy me these as a belated anniversary gift/mother's day gift!! Worth a shot!! hee hee

Back from the dead

Wow, what a horrible weekend. I am better now - but my house looks like a disaster zone!! Well, to me it does!! I am sure no one else would even know that we were sick all weekend, but I sure do!! There is laundry; and dusting; and vaccuming to do. And I need to nuke all the bathrooms again to make sure whatever virus came into my house is dead!! No one REALLY understands the level of cleanliness that I keep up. So 3 days of doing nothing makes the house "dirty" to me. Again, it is a sickness. I know. I am sure it is OCD. So now I must clean. Clean. Clean. Clean.

But I have to report something amazing. I went out this morning to get a birthday gift for my girlfriend's daughter, and a few things for Marc. I have not been out of my house for 4 days. It has felt like an eternity. Of course, my favourite decor shop is around the corner from WalMart, where I was this morning, so I stopped in. But I did NOT buy anything!! Yeah for me!! I was tempted. Boy, was I tempted... I sure would like to replace my decorations on my mantel/huge display area. I want just three pieces - a really large ceramic plate; and two large vases - one taller, and one shorter. But these pieces need to be large. Very large. The decor space is massive. Right now I have a collection of vases/urns, but I am tired of them. Same old story... Even though I am only in search of three things, it would have cost me over $200 for them. And I walked away. Keeping the bigger picture in mind.

I am off now to tackle laundry and dusting. Have a happy day!!

I have sunk to a whole new level

So I have the flu - again. Thanks to whomever made my sweet Ethan sick on Thursday - which then spread throught out my entire house. Nice. But I digress. I have sunk to a whole new level of insanity. I can barely see straight, but I had to scrap because I wanted to get this layout done for Ethan's book, and it could not wait another day. I used Heidi Swapp's tapes and chip board lettering, and the rest is scrap I have laying around. Totally simple. Totally fast. I really am crazy. Now I am going back to bed. Later all.

My NEW Challenge

Apparently, Heavenly Father believes that I lack patience and compassion. WHY else would my children get sick like every other week?? It is Ethan now. He has some sort of stomach bug. He started getting sick last night after dinner and continued all night. I HATE vomit. I can deal with everything else but this. And even worse - vomit on my carpet. It literally drives me crazy. But apparently I have not learned how to be compassionate or patient, so my kids keep getting sick and Heavenly Father keeps pushing me.... I am about to crack.

So I have been really stressed lately. Work is busy - and not in a good way. My files are feeling like dead weight lately, and going no where. It is frustrating. There is a misconception that law is glamourous. NOT. It is boring most of the time. And beyond frustrating the rest of the time. So of course last night I could not just sit around. I bought these curtains for Ethan's room on the weekend and decided that they had to go up. I love the way they turned out. They are a beautiful caramel colour - match perfectly with his custom made furniture. Now tonight I am trying to focus my energy on scrapping. Otherwise, I have no idea which room will next fall victim to my never ending decorating!! 'Night all!! 

More Creativity

I was inspired by my friend Kerry on Scraptivity to create this layout of Isabella. Kerry has such a wonderful style - so simple and clean but fun. It really appeals to me. So, thank you Kerry for this layout. You are doing an amazing job!! Oh, and thank you Caroline for creating this ribbon!! Oh good gosh. I am a HUGE fan now!! You should see the stash I came home with yesterday. Who would have known that ribbon could elicit such joy?!! Way to go Maya Road!!

Another project

So, when I am bored, I create projects around the house. This happened last night. I have had these sayings around the house for a while - in different rooms. One was in the main bathroom, just sitting on the counter. One was in the great room, sitting above the fireplace. And the SPA was sitting around the edge of my tub. Never have they met before. So while I was in the tub yesterday, staring at my blank wall and thinking I needed to buy a picture for the wall, and wondering how big the picture should be - it clicked. I should put the phrases up!! Voila - an hour of work later and all is well. Much more fun looking at this than a blank wall.