Christmas stuff!!

Okay I know I said I was going to get the photos on these layouts, but it just isn't happening, way to busy this week, and some of them will be making there way under the tree for others to receive.

First a little album of  First Christmas' for my Mom & Dad, there will eventually be photos of each one of their grandchildren's first Christmas.

This one is for photos of all three of my kids First Christmas'.

This one is for the annual picture in front of the tree on Christmas Day!!

 I collect ornaments, and this one will feature my favourites.

For my new nephew's album, my sister & brother -in-law will be getting as their gift.

For my Grandma

For the kids to give to friends (these were made back in September, with my DT kit then)

I want to say thanks to everyone who reads this blog the few times I do post, and have a safe and Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.

Cheers,
Shelley

1 Week To Go!!!!

The countdown has begun sometime ago, but this is when it really begins.  The kids have finished their last week of school before the holidays.  They worked really hard this week..............on crafts, watching movies, etc. Very little school work actually takes place, the kids just are not focused enough, I can totally understand it.  I am glad for this break from making lunches and running around to activities.  Just to be able to stay in my pj's if I want to.

Here is our tree last year on Christmas Eve after Santa had been there!!!

Here is a house all decorated and lit up.

 

Check back soon, I will be posting some of my recent layouts.  The are finished, but without pictures, and I want to get the photos on them before I post them.

Cheers,

Shelley

It's Winter Finally and a few Layouts.

We finally had our first significant snowfall, only about 8 inches, but still very pretty.  Here is a picture of our front tree at night.

I have busy doing A LOT of scrap-booking lately with the Design Team at The Scrapping Turtle, so much so that I probably have about 25 new layouts since my last post.  Here are a few of my favourites and of my new nephew Nolan.  I have been working on some layouts to add to his album and give to my sister for Christmas!!

It has been a while....some new projects!!!

So it has been over 2 months since my last post, and school has finished for the summer, and we have already blown through half of the summer as well.  Where has the time gone?

We have spent a good amount of the time away at our trailer, the weather has been hot and sunny, with not much rain to speak of, so it is really hard to pack up and come home when you have a beach 100 yards away!!!

I will also be headed away with a fabulous group of friends (we call ourselves the DivaLiciouS MoTHeRs) to Memories Manor.  this will be the first time away from my whole family all at once.  I am excited and can't wait for the break, I love my family a lot, but they are pushing certainly the boundries this summer!!!!

Anyway I have let 2 months of Design Team postings for The Scrapping Turtle pass by and now my sneak for August has been posted so I will leave you with a few projects for your viewing pleasure!!!

I decided to pick some random ones from the last 3 months of DT projects otherwise there would be to many pictures to post!!!

Oh what the heck, here are a few more!!

That is all for now, hope you having a fabulous summer ans snapping lots of pictures.

Cheers,
Shelley

Online Crop this Weekend

Join us for the online crop this weekend over at the Scrapping Turtle forum.  It is sure to be loads of fun.  Great games, great challenges, and prizes too!!!!

Reveal Day!!!

This is my very first full reveal as a Design Team Member for The Scrapping Turtle.  Here it is hope you like it.  Here is the link to see everyone's fabulous work.

Anxiety

I guess we have all suffered from it at one point in our lives, but I only have occasionally up until lately.  I would get it at particular times, when something was due in school, or an exam, before an interview or review.  I would also have mild panic attacks when we had the business and there was no money and a stack of bills, I think you know the kind of anxiety I am talking about, the kind of not knowing how in the @#$% you were going to keep the business running, let alone feed your family.  Well lately I have had that kind of anxiety on a daily basis.  I wake up with a sense of dread.  Like the whole world is going to come crashing down around me.

As some of you know John lost a very good job about 3 1/2 months ago, he didn't work for about 10 weeks, and is working now, but for how long I don't know, so I guess that has a lot to do with it.  He doesn't really like the place he is at, he tolerates it, but that is it, and I also know that it won't take much for him to leave there.  But the other problem is that he is making about 25 % less money and working less hours, and works out to about 50 % less take home pay than before.  UGH, now I am back to the "how the heck am I going to pay all the bills and feed my family" anxiety.  Well that results in me having to look for work, I have had what I thought were a few promising interviews, but did not result in a job.  Why is it I can be so busy on a daily basis with my volunteer work, which is no different than what I would be getting paid for, yet I can't get hired.  I know I will not earn as much as John, I will be lucky if I get 1/2 what he takes home, but I look at it as though if I can make enough to buy groceries and incidentals I will be happy and I am contributing to the household. On the other hand it bothers me that my kids will be suffering as a result of me working, I won't be around for helping in the school, or field trips, Colin will likely have to go in the before or after school program.  After school activities will most likely be out for Monique because if she stays after school I have to pick her up, unless there is someone else in the same activity picking up their child and lives near us, but this NEVER happens, I pick her up 2 - 3 days a week.

I keep saying to relax, be patient and a great job will fall into your lap.  I would kinda like it to happen now, but part of me wants it to happen after the summer, that way I can prepare the kids, and we can realize it will be the last summer of freedom so we can just kick back and enjoy it!!!!  I guess what will be will be, and I will have to wait and see!!  Thanks for listening.

Cheers,
Shelley

A Challenge, and Product of the Month

I completed my first challenge.  As part of the Design Team at the Scrapping Turtle, we are to either provide or participate in the challenges weekly.  Well this week it was Lizzie's card challenge, and she wanted us to create a card with pinwheels, so here it is

Every month a product is chosen and this month we were given some Kiki Art Fun Tape and I got the Antologia Jardin one.  I used the tape on my ribbon and made flowers for my layout.

This Product of the Month is 15% off at The Scrapping Turtle for the month of May, so hurry on over and get some.  Here is a link for some of the other creations using this Fun Tape.


Cheers
Shelley

Wooo Hoooo............I Made The Design Team

I am so happy to announce that I made the Design Team for The Scrapping Turtle.  My first task was to create a sneak peek layout to be revealed on May 1st.  I received the Rusted Sun line from Fancy Pants, and I swear this line was made for me, I have so many summer and beach pictures, I could scrap for a long time with this line and each page would still look different.

 Here is my sneak peek:

Check back on the 15th for the full reveal.

A Couple of Projects

I have not been very scrappy lately, I am hoping that the upcoming Scrapfest will inspire me, but in the mean time here are a few things that I have done.

Here is a layout I did with the Monthly Mystery Kit challenge at the Scrapping Turtle.

I just love this picture of Monique, I can not believe she will be in High School next year, where has the time gone.

And this is an altered picture frame, I stamped on the mat, and etched the glass with the word dream in the bottom right corner (it is very difficult to see in the picture).

And another layout about all of Colin's toys

And a birthday card for Hannah shhh don't tell her, she hasn't got it yet, her birthday is on Friday.

A Little Project and Back to Work for John

I made this today with my Silhouette, I was inspired by one my friend Heather got as a housewarming gift.  When I saw it I thought "I can make that" so I did.  It is in my front hallway over the entrance to the kitchen.

It was also back to work for John today, he got a call on Monday asking if he was interested in some short term work.  He started today and hopefully it leads to long term, cross your fingers.  On another note, I am still looking for work, part-time or full-time, keep your toes crossed!!

And last but not least  

Happy Birthday Dad

Phew, what a busy day,
Cheers

Shelley

A Day of Fun and Relaxation with Friends

A totally self indulgent day. I spent yesterday at my friend Heather's aka. Casa Caruso!!!
Here I am just after I arrived with a yummy Pomegranate Champagne beverage, Heather just made this up and it was delish, it was pomegranate liquor, champagne and acai berry juice.

It was a fabulous day, we did our own facials, pedicures, manicures.  The lovely Alice was doing a little Reflexology on our tootsies, and Penny was doing some mini massages for our head and neck, it was heavenly.........................then I got home to THIS

Yes, they are building cabinets in my family room, when there is a perfectly good 2 car garage out back (although maybe a little cold).  As well as, in order for John to organize his tools, he decided to re-arrange the basement, and this is my laundry room.  Doesn't look like any laundry is going to get done any time soon!!!

Ahh well, I am going to just relax today.

Cheers,
Shelley

What Kids Do For Fun

We have had a little more snow last week, so the kids have been outside a lot.  It hasn't been to cold and the snow is packable too, so these are some adventures of the things kids build and test when they are outside and you have a yard full of snow, a shovel and a couple of sleds, YEEE HAW!!!!

Yes that ramp is about 3 feet high they wanted to go back outside after dinner to build it higher, but it was dark!!!!

 

 

This is the one that frightens me, she started to pile snow against the shed, so I was worried that she was going to get her snowboard and try out her home made mountain.  All I was thinking was if she is going to try it she better put her helmet on!!!

 And last but not least I want to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Monique, she turned 14 yesterday.

Thanks for looking
Cheers,
Shelley

Back to work......................

For me.

Today I started back to work, although it is only mornings for 2 1/2 weeks, it is still something in the mean time.  I leave the house at 7:45, so that is not to bad and I am home by 1:00 unless I stop to pick up groceries.  I was nervous about starting, and didn't sleep very well last night, so I will get the kids lunches ready before bed and head up early with my book and hopefully get a good nights sleep tonight.  I was hoping that John would have found some sort of work by now, but  he shows no signs of looking or caring about even having a job.  I get that he is taking some time off, but would it kill him to make a few calls, and if not to at least help around the house.  Maybe pick up, or throw a load of laundry in or for goodness sake at the very least TAKE OUT THE GARBAGE when I ask.  I have only been back 1 day, and I am getting frustrated already, this venting on my blog helps, and some people actually read it and totally understand what I mean.  He keeps talking about starting up his own shop again, and I say again, because this happens about every 3 - 5 years, and I am getting sick just thinking about it.  The last time was after his major depression in 2001 and ended with us being forced to file bankruptcy (not a pleasant thing either I might add).  This is something I am scared to death to do again, and it is very difficult to get that information through to him.  It is also a VERY VERY bad time for woodworking shops in general, and a couple of people have told him this but he refuses to listen rationally.  I give him an A for effort, but I don't really want to be taken along for the ride this time around, nor do I want to put my kids through that again.  Colin wasn't even born when the last shop closed, and the girls were 6 years younger, so they don't really know the whole story, but now the girls are older and still don't really understand, which is stressful to them because they will draw their own conclusions, and can't always verbalize what they are feeling, or even realize themselves what they are feeling.  I try to keep an open dialogue with them, but sometimes it is difficult.  Will forge ahead with my chin up  :)

Well got to go dinner is almost ready Teryaki Chicken Stir Fry (yummy).

Thanks for listening to me rant!!!!!

Shelley

A lot has happened.................

WARNING:  This is not a happy post, so I will not be offended if you click the back button now!!!!


It has been a while since I posted, haven't felt much like posting, don't even really feel like posting now, but I think putting things down on paper so to speak, may help to relieve some of the stress.

Well, John lost his job.  He has been unhappy there for a while, but I didn't think he would just up and do it.  It was sort of a two sided thing, a lot of men's ego's involved, and no one willing to be sensible and think before doing or saying.  I won't get into the details, I am not even clear on the details, I am only getting tidbits of info, and it doesn't matter now anyway.
I am pretty stressed about it lost about 5 pounds since it happened, and I am trying not to let the anxiety take over, but that is what is happening, and I can't eat, so this is the reason for the weight loss.  I am worried about the girls, they are old enough to know what is going on, and feel the tension around here.  The person I am really worried about is John, about 8 years ago, he had a really bad bought of depression, we almost lost him, it took about 6  weeks to pull him part way out of it, and 3 weeks of that was him staying at Homewood in Guelph.  He suffers everyday, and he says "he thinks constantly about how it would be better for us if he were not here".
Yesterday I got an e-mail from the place John was working at saying that they would not be forwarding his last pay due to some items that he owes them for.  Some were legitimate, but the one we dispute is the damage to a company van.  John backed into a parking post when on a job site with the company van and they argue that he is responsible for paying it.  Isn't that why you have insurance; especially when so many different people are driving the same vehicle.  Then when he called them about it his old boss, went into how they have been trying to get rid of him for 3 months (which is a lie, because why would you have someone work as many hours as John, to get the job done, and let him drive your vehicles, and have a key to the shop etc., if you wanted to get rid of him?), and how difficult a person he is to deal with, having lived with him for 23 years, I tend to believe this one, and told him that after he quit; I also told him among other things that he can't get along with anyone "that doesn't play by his rules" and only thinks about himself.  I spoke my mind, and I don't tend to do that, I usually just let it eat away at me.

Anyway, now I am rambling, although it is making me feel better, I need to pull this together, because now John is slipping into a really bad place (I didn't help things by saying the above things to him), and he is a very difficult person to try to pull out, very stubborn, negative (really, really bad energy), and I can't be attracting it right now.  I have made my Resume and sent it off to a few places to see if I can get some money flowing here, because I really don't know how long this will last with John, and quite frankly I am getting to the point of frustration with him and his illness (as informed as I am about depression, I am having less & less compassion as it continues to happen, I still don't see why he can't just see what he is doing to everyone, and snap out of it).  Me finding work also troubles him, makes him fell less  of a man.  It worries the kids big time, they have always had me at home for them.  But most of all it makes me sad, that I have to take on so much responsibility, by making sure that we eat, and have a roof over our heads, and that the kids are getting up and ready for school, that their lunches are made, their needs are being met, and they still get to do their after school activities as well as taking care of John when he is slipping into "his funk" (yes it happens so often that I have nick named it);  all this while trying to make everything seem normal and not freaking out myself, because if that happens then what..................?

Today I scrapped, and other random things.....

I actually scrapped today, haven't had much mojo for scrapping lately, but today I did the Monthly Mystery Kit from The Scrapping Turtle, and I am quite happy how it turned out.  It is based off of this sketch by the fabulous Marissa. 

Tomorrow I am going to work on some of the other sketches from the online crop.

X-Weighted - update

Well so far I have lost 4 pounds, but have been working out quite a bit and feel great.  I have been doing a variety of workouts varying from the Wii fit, and the Wii active, as well as some DVD's I have at home.  This week I made it to the gym though, and that has really made a difference in my energy level, I do a longer cardio workout when I am there, because they have treadmills, elliptical machines, bikes etc.  I have been eating better by slowly cutting out the junk food, I didn't quit cold turkey because that would be a disaster I would probably end up with a huge migraine.  I went to see my friend and Homeopath Heather Caruso,   2 weeks ago and she gave me some advice on how to better regulate my blood sugar and protein, because I was feeling sluggish in the afternoons.  This will also help to build lean muscle.  I will keep you updated on how I am doing.

New Doors for the House

I am so excited, I went into Home Depot last week and found doors for 1/2 price, they were clearing them out to make way for a new display, so I bought 4, and John got started installing them this past weekend.  Here are a few pictures so far of the progress.  The first one shows the crack with daylight showing through, and when it is snowy outside we would have little snowdrifts at the bottom.  The second one is the old back door.  The third one is John bashing out the inside brick frame. We have a double brick house, and the inside layer was 1/2 inch smaller, so the door wouldn't fit unless he bashed it out, and it was a huge dusty mess.  and the fourth picture is the new back door installed.

Bye for now,
Shelley