I am annoyed

I *hate* when things just stop working - out of the blue. That annoys me above and beyond anything. My range just stopped working. It worked yesterday, and today nothing. The door lock is on and I can't disengage the lock = the oven lights won't turn off = the oven won't heat up because the seal has not engaged = useless to me. How angry am I right now?? And the company help line has been no help at all!! And even searching the internet I have not been able to find an answer to my problem. And here is the kicker - the stupid range is only 2 years old!! And to replace it would cost close to $2000!! I want to scream! Why is that my grandmother's oven lasted for 20 years and mine has lasted for two... Listen up manufacturers - start making QUALITY products!! And start offering warranties that actually help the consumer!!

Thursday stuff

I don't know where the week has gone. Isabella had the flu, but it was a mild case! Thank goodness!! I am STILL traumatized from two years ago when our entire house got the stomach flu and it lasted for 2 weeks, and both Ethan and I ended up in emergency because the stomach pain was so severe... I NEVER want to go through that again. But Bella is on the mend now and so far so good - knock on wood!!

I have been running around getting crafts and goodies ready for a Breakfast with Santa this coming up Saturday morning for our primary children at church. I don't even know how many children will be attending honestly... I think we have 45 children in primary, but they are allowed to bring friends... I have crafts and candy canes for 100 - so hopefully I won't have more than that!! Yikes. More panic. I am exhausted and my week is not over yet.

I am feeling crafty, so I must do something with this energy. Have a good day all.

Ciao

Party

So my sweet niece Emelia turned two today and we had her party at Flip City. Fantastic. My kids could not get enough of the trampolines and foam pits and balance beams... Bella was in her element. Seems that gymnastics is something I should be looking into for her! And we got to spend the day with Maya! She is growing into such a gorgeous little girl. It was awesome. Good times with family and friends. Good memories. Happy Birthday my little monkey!!! Love you lots and lots!!!

Busy

Making home made cannelloni for 40 people... My kitchen is a disaster zone. But I am in the groove. And boy does my house smell gooooooood!!!

Have a great day all.

Ciao

I am pooped. Really pooped.

Well yesterday was Super Saturday and it went off without a hitch. Seriously. Thanks to many MANY wonderful women who do what they are asked to do without question or complaint. I love you all!! We had a busy day of classes and I taught two of them. I feel bad - I abandoned my classes a few times during the day to ensure that everyone else was okay and that we were staying on schedule, etc. etc. Kind of my job... But I am exhausted. I was on my feet from 8 am yesterday morning to 5pm straight. Not to mention the weeks leading up to this event where I did not sleep and ran around getting everything ready. Don't ask me right now if this is something I want to organize and run again! Right now, the answer is NO. hee hee

Well, there is no rest for the wicked. With this behind me, I have many projects to turn my attention to now. The first being a Senior's dinner that Marc's Young Men are putting on this Thursday night. I am cooking for them - stuffed shells. So this week I will be busy making my homemade pasta sauce and getting that ready. Then I am helping to host a Breakfast with Santa for 60 children on December 1st.

My job - crafts for 60 kids to do. Crazy. But I have risen to the challenge. They are all making these super cute button wreath ornaments and writing letters to Santa. We are serving pancakes and sausages and fruit salad for breakfast and then it is craft time and then it is time for a visit and pictures with Santa. Their "goody bag" is an advent calendar (which I am also responsible for...). It never ends. And I wish that was all, but no. Then I have Ethan's school Christmas fundraiser the week after, and then our Church Christmas dinner just for the adults the week after... Yes, I am insane. Just for the record.

I am going to go and cook up some penne. My mama made me sauce with meatballs and spareribs. My favourite. I am going to drown my tiredness in some good ol' fashioned Italian love!!

Ciao all.

It's THAT time again...

Every year I say I am not going to do these ornaments... Yet here I am again, with yet another batch of them made. It is crazy. I truly am addicted to them. And this year I used paper that is gorgeous - very traditional - ruby reds and burgandy and apple green and forest green. And the chipboard tags just worked so well. K and Company I believe... Two dozen done, who knows how many more to go.

The rest of my house looks like Santa's workshop exploded. I have glitter everywhere from the "JOY" class I am teaching. Wooden letters that are painted and then covered in glitter. The "O" is used as a picutre frame. Very cute when it is all done. I will have to post a pic of the finished product. And I have 4 foot wooden Christmas trees everywhere. I sure will be happy when Saturday is over and all these things have gone to their new homes and out of mine!! Of course, then I will be looking for another Christmas project to do... You know I LOVE it!! I think button trees are on my list this year. Last year it was fabric trees. I have a real tree thing...

Have a happy day all.

Ciao

My weekend of fun

I didn't expect this weekend to be a big thing. But it was. And it was great. And I am again ever thankful for the hobby I fell into 8 years ago, and for all that it has brought me in my life. You see, Tammy emailed me at the beginning of the week and asked if I wanted to go to the BC Creative Expo with her. The what?? I had never heard of this. First time running here in the Lower Mainland (and organized by my friend Kari - which I just found out when I arrived!! HOW COOL!!!). So I thought, sure, why not?!! It was a day away from the house and a day to spend with my gal pal and browse this ever changing industry. I headed out to Abbotsford and met up with Tammy and then the fun began. We met up with Jackie and Kat from Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine. These women were amazing!! You know when you meet certain people and you just click? That is what happened. I felt like I had know them forever. It was wonderful. And then I met the talented Karen and Diane from Tin Box Creations, and bought a set of their stamps! Too cute!! Again, fabulous gals!! And then I met the ever talented and gorgeous Vicki Boutin, and her adorable momma!! Tammy and I kind of hijacked her class. I felt bad for the women taking the class - there we were hooting it up and telling stories and talking "business" while these women were trying to make Vicki's layouts. I really think we scared the gals in the class, but oh well!! hee hee Hey, Vicki was in town and it was the PERFECT opportunity to have a visit!! What is a girl to do?? Again, we all just seem to click. It was fun. And to top it all off, the gals of Canadian Scrapbooker took us out to dinner. Wow. More laughing. I was exhausted by the time I came home, but I really felt fulfilled. My spirit needed that camaraderie. I also found it so relieving to be around like minded crafty people who get it when you are excited because you have found the PERFECT glue so that your glitter does not end up all over the house... Or that stamp set on sale... Or that new machine gadety thing that allows you to make your own mini books at home now!! So, for all you gals out there who think that scrapbooking is not for you, take another look. The industry is filled with women who are talented and smart and creative and friendly and giving. You can learn a new hobby and make some really good friends along the way!!

Ciao all

Getting Caught Up...

So with these layouts done, that brings me up to Halloween. I am officially caught up. AND I am officially OUT of scrapping supplies!! Yes. You heard me right!! I don't have any more cardstock OR patterned paper in this house!! It has taken close to two years to use up everything that I had. But I have done it. So now with Halloween done and Christmas coming up, it is time to head to the LSS and pick up papers and cardstock and adhesives! And I think it is time to see what is new and great out there. I am pretty tired of the embellishments I have kicking around. It may be time for an entire scrap overhaul.

Ciao all.

Benny...

And the Officers! This is our new "baby". We bought a brand new Jetta. It is platinum grey and automatic and soooo pretty. I adore it. And his name is Benny!! This is our 6th VW - all B names... You know, it is getting harder to name them each time... This guy came home with us Saturday afternoon. The dealership gave us an unbelievable trade in on our 2005 Jetta and we took this one off the lot = clearing out inventory = big time savings. Every penny counts!! I have never owned an automatic. I have always had a standard. Today was my FIRST day in traffic with Benny and it rocked!! No shifting up and down and up and down... Wow. I did not know what to do with myself. A true luxury. I am thankful for it!!

Ciao all

Halloween Pics

Just some random pics from Halloween. My knight and his princess... My crazy hubby and his pumpkins... My decorations that I went glitter happy with this year.... It is all good.

Ciao all