I've Always Been Game For A Challenge...

...and today I found not one, not two, but FOUR card challenges to participate in today - I'm a machine, I tell ya!

The card on the left is based on a sketch challenge over at Our Creative Corner. Then, over at Color Throwdown (fun name!), the challenge today was to use three colours - 'regal rose', 'chocolate chip', and 'dusty durango'. I just happened to have some papers in my stash with the perfect colours in them. I don't know the paper brand because, oddly, there is no manufacturer name on any of them, but they're all from the same line. They are also some of the oldest papers in my stash, so it was wildly gratifying to be able to use them for the Colour Throwdown challenge. All three cards are made with these papers, plus an old, nay, vintage, hoarded, and coveted piece of 'Chocolate Pinstripe' from Chatterbox. This CB paper is one of my Top 10 all-time favourite patterned papers ever! Goes with everything, and lends just the right touch of sophistication to any project! (Did that sound a lot like a 'plug'? Think maybe I can talk Chatterbox into tossing some free product my way?! What's that you say? Pushing my luck? Yeah. I knew it.)

The third challenge I participated in is from Papertake Weekly. The challenge there was based on 'New Beginnings' and there was room for interpretation according to the criteria, so for this challenge, I used a new corner/slot punch that I got awhile ago and never used. It was one of those purchases where I just had to have it after a demo in a LSS, but once I got it home...well, my time filled with other things, my interest waned, then my memory of what to actually do with it faded...eventually, my shiny new acquisition was tossed in amongst all the rest of the usual suspects, unused and forgotten. For some reason, when I visited Papertake Weekly and read 'New Beginnings', the idea of making myself finally use this punch just jumped into my head! Seems kind of random, but - I was game, so I went with it, and lo and behold - it's my new favorite tool-of-the-moment! So, thank you, Challengemeisters over at PW! I was truly inspired!

Now, onto the fourth and final challenge of the day. Prairie Papercrafts and Stamps is hosting a colour challenge as well, and coincidentally enough, the colours named for this challenge are chocolate and orange - very similar to the colours over at Color Throwdown, so - I stayed with the same paper line and made the card in the above picture on the right. Serendipitous the way it all came together, don'tcha think?!

I added the sentiment 'hello' to both of the larger cards, which keeps them in the 'all occasion' category and allows flexibility in usage. 'Hello' is great just on it's own of course, or you can start with 'Hello' and have the card open to read, 'and Happy Birthday to my best friend!', or, 'Hello', then, 'Thanks for all your help!', or, 'Hello', then, 'You annoy me. It's over.'. See what I mean? Truly 'all-occasion'. I then made up a wee little 3x3 card, sans sentiment, just to round out the photo a bit, in keeping with symmetry and spatial relationship. Huh?! Plus, I needed a card for my mom to say 'thank you' for allowing my husband and I ample usage of her car since we are officially a one-vehicle family but are living at least a two-vehicle lifestyle (AKA hockey/baseball/school/soccer/social life/etc. taxi drivers for our three busy children, as well as, oh, you know, things like going back and forth to work!)

So there you have it - three cards for four challenges. I'm going to call it a night! Happy Crafting, everybody!

Another Day, Another Challenge...

Of the cardmaking kind this time, thankfully! I made these two cards in response to three challenges. Challenge #1, from 2 Sketches 4 you - make a card using the sketch provided in the post dated January 4. The card on the left represents this. Then, Challenge #2, from yesterday's challenge at 365 Cards - use metal on a card. The card on the right uses 2 black metal brads, as well as a heart that I first embossed on a piece of thin metal sheeting using my Cuttlebug and then punched out using one of my big Marvy Uchida punches. This card also fulfils another sketch challenge over at CPS - Card sketches. This is the second card that I've made from this sketch. Operation Write Home (OWH) had a call for Valentines cards that needed to be postmarked to them no later than January 6. I'm a day late, but I'm going to send these two cards to them anyways, along with some others that I've made. Maybe my parcel will get to them in time to make it into a Valentines shipment; otherwise, these cards can get included as general 'love' cards for shipping anytime.

Raising A Teenager Is Hard...

As a general, sweeping assumption, I tend to think that raising a teenaged daughter is harder than raising a teenaged son, although I've got twice the sons than daughters, so I'lI find out for myself soon enough...This morning was one of those mornings that leave me reeling - and all before 9 a.m.! It's amazing how much conflict and nastiness can be packed into such a short period of time. In my mind, I alternate between 'head in sand' and 'in your face' with my daughter. I alternate between 'leave her alone, she's not as bad as some kids' to 'never mind the lowest denominator, this still is not acceptable according to MY expectations and standards!'. Should I leave her alone? What will I come to regret more - too much attention or not enough attention? Is it all goingn to turn out okay in the end - or will it all go so terribly awry? I feel like it is such a delicate, precarious balance and I'm trying to find the balance without any reliable senses, or information. I know that there are books that I can read, but for every book touting one method, there's another book refuting it. I also think that it's all so subjective and individual. Or, perhaps there is a common, frequent, and/or underlying psychology to the teenage brain, the teenage experience, that lends itself to a method or school of thought that can be effectively applied to any/all teenagers...Another consideration is the specific dynamic that exists between MY teenager and myself - I recognize that the responsibility or ownership of this struggle that exists with my daughter is not squarely on her shoulders...What experiences/behaviours/tendencies of my own are affecting how I influence or respond to any given situation or moment with her? How much can I control? How much do I have to let go of? I feel like I'm caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place and I fear that there is no favourable outcome - at least, not one that's guaranteed. And I WANT a guarantee, damn it! This is my daughter, my first born baby - I don't feel like there is any room for error. I also fear that what right now seems like such a difficult time may only be the beginning. Perhaps I'm just run down and worn out in my thinking right now...I've also heard from some people that the age of 14 is pretty much the worst of the worst, and that a corner to turn is not too far off. I just don't know. What is the middle ground between the theory of 'tough love' versus 'unconditional love'? What is the likelihood of 'happy ending' versus 'worst case scenario'? The answers are nowhere to be found, at least, not right at this moment. For now, I think I will allow myself to pour a fresh, hot cup of tea and retreat into my scrapping space with my favorite blogs, websites,and my music. I'm done ruminating and perseverating, for the time being at least. Sometimes the harder you look for answers, the more elusive they seem. For now, for today, for at least this moment, I am going to let it go.

"All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on."
-- Havelock Ellis

A New Obsession - Card Sketch Sites

I am currently having a love affair with card sketch sites. Up until recently, I've found using sketches in cardmaking or scrapbooking more challenging than helpful, but somewhere along the way, I turned a corner, gave sketches another shot, and am now obsessed!

This is a sketch from 365 Cards -

















This is my version of the sketch -







(I sure wish I could take better indoor photos!)















This is a sketch from Card Positioning Systems (CPS) -

















And, this is my take -















This card also includes requirements from today's post, Challenge #45, at The Corrosive Challenge blog, which is to use two favorite embellishments on your card or project. I used ribbon on this card, and rhinestones - two of my favorite go-to embellishments for cards.

I haven't made any 'official' resolutions this year, but one of my aims with paper crafting is to use what I've already got and start digging into my stash - a common sentiment, it seems, among us crafters! I have SO much patterned paper from over the years - boxes of it - so, I'd like to start using it up and making some space under my desktop/countertop where I store it all.

Another of my goals with my card making is to have cards ready and on hand for the numerous family birthdays throughout the year. It's not like I don't know that they're coming, and yet inevitably, I'm flying around last minute as we're about to head out the door for a celebration, frantically slapping together a card. That's just dumb! So, with these two cards, I'm ready for my father-in-law's/grandma-in-law's birthday brunch next weekend! We all have busy lives - isn't it rewarding when you can cross something off of your gigantic, never-ending to-do list - even if it's one of the little things? After all, every little thing counts, wouldn't you agree?

Card Sketch #42...

...from '2S4Y', AKA 2 Sketches 4 You - a fun card sketch site that I stumbled across while on one of my daily blog hopping excursions. Here is the sketch as seen on the site:
















And here is my pretty literal interpretation x 2:



I love this sketch! It's quick, simple, and great for any occasion. I'm getting more and more interested in using sketches - for card making and for scrapbooking. There are a whole lot of great sketches and examples over at 2S4Y - go check them out!

Christmas Is For Caring...

This morning, Casey was telling me about a creative writing assignment that he had to do at school where he was to use the letters in 'Christmas' to write a word for each to describe Christmas. Casey told me in his earnest, almost solemn, way that he chose 'Care' for 'C' because "Christmas isn't just about the presents, it's about the care".

It is satisfying to me as a mother to know that my child understands the deeper, more important messages of the Christmas season. It is no surprise to me that not only does Casey know it, but he takes it very seriously as well. Casey is such a light in my life!

On The First Day of Christmas...

The Inspired Scrapper is kicking off a crafty 12 Days of Christmas - I created this cute set of marble magnets for my even cuter cousin, which I also shared at The Inspired Scrapper. Head on over there every day from now until Christmas for the Design Team's scrappy inspiration and eye candy!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas...

Happy Friday! TGIF!! Every Friday over at The Inspired Scrapper a new challege/project gets posted. Today it was 'Christmas Cards', and it was my debut assignment as one of the Design Team members. It still thrills me to call myself that! Go have a look! So much Christmas eye candy!

For Today - Thursday, December 10, 2009

Outside my window...ideal conditions for - I don't want to say it, so I'm going to spell it - S-N-O-W!!! After careful consideration, I vote 'Nay!' - but don't tell my kids that!!

I am thinking...and thinking and thinking...I don't know when I'm going to be able to quiet my brain so that I can go to sleep...

I am thankful...for modern medicine, and for Tylenol 3's. Farewell, gallbladder!! See you again...NEVER!

From the kitchen...nothing to brag about lately. Still planning on a Christmas cookie bakefest, but...nothin' says lovin' from the oven like last-minute concotions!!!

I am wearing...a crazy mix of sloppy old cotton stuff.

I am reading...blogs. Lots and lots of blogs. I'm loving the blogs!!!

I am hoping...that my sister and her gorgeous kids and hubby make it up here for Christmas!!

I am going...to be faced with my fear of flying sometime this spring, rumour has it...

I am creating...Christmas projects for the Inspired Scrapper.

I am hearing...digital music channel 431 - Baroque! Love it!

Around the house....lots of outside stuff inside. Like, the sand table, roller blades, hockey sticks, baseball equipment...sporty toys for active boys! Active boys who are always going full speed no matter whether they are in the great outdoors, or in the dining room...

One of my favorite things...My big, fluffy, most-excellent-shade-of-blue blanket that Casey picked out for me for Christmas when he was three because he wanted me to always be warm. So sweet!

A few plans for the rest of the week...quit my job, scrap space playtime, quality time with kids.

Here is a picture thought I'm sharing with you...



My husband - wonderfully warm on cold winter nights! Super supportive, super helpful, super dad - I thank my lucky stars for him every single night!

Whole Lotta Love...

So we're nearing the end of the first week of December already - wow! I still feel like Halloween was last weekend. The Halloween candy has finally run out...I'm always happy to be done with it. No more candy battles.

The first day of December proved to be a sunny, clear, and cold one - my favorite kind of wintery day, and it started off in the sweetest way. Early in the morning, while it was still dark out and I was still in bed, I heard Cody start calling from his room, "I tode! I tode! I tode!". Cody has the cutest voice - he's sounds like a hoarse little toad. *Note to self: Must capture that voice on video/audio again soon!*. Then, pitter patter, pitter patter, (actually, more like - stompity stomp, stompity stomp), Cody makes his way into my room, still lamenting, "I tode! I tode!".

"Cody, are you cold?!"
"Yes!"
"Well, come on up here in bed with Mommy so that I can snuggle you up and get you warm!" (He half climbs/I half haul him up into bed with me).

After a couple of minutes, I hear Cody's little sleepy, froggy voice say, "We best friends!".

"Yes, Cody, that's right. We ARE best friends!".

"You da best mommma!"

(He's too sweet. I can't stand it!!)

"Aw, thanks, Cody!! And you're my very best little blue-eyed boy! I love you soooo much!!"

"And I yuv you so much too!".

Oh my word. Be still my beating heart!! Not even three yet. He is the sweetest combination of rough, tough, gruff, strong-willed and intense little guy, and sweet, loving, affectionate little charmer. Both my boys are very much this way. I couldn't be any luckier or any more thankful - such a beautiful way to start the day.

Send A Smile...

My son is napping (thank goodness!) and so I just poured myself a cup of tea and started randomly checking out my mega-list of bookmarked scrapbooking blogs. I came across a post on Jana Millen's blog with details about a card drive for six sick children. Such an easy and quick way to add a spark of sunshine to a brave little person's day. Go check it out!

For Today - November 27, 2009

Outside my window...are the Christmas lights my husband put up last weekend. I thought it was a bit too early, but I've adjusted!

I am thinking...about the projects I want to contribute to the Inspired Scrapper.

I am thankful...that November is almost over and yet I've experienced NONE of my usual late fall/early winter dark, grey, rainy day blues!

From the kitchen...nothing right now, but it IS time to start my annual Christmas cookie bakefest!

I am wearing...my typical at-home uniform - some type of sloppy old-school, non-trendy sweats (what would be called 'yoga pants' if they were new and I'd paid a lot of money for them!) and a hand-me-down fleece pullover from my father-in-law. There is no pretense of glamour here!

I am reading...assorted magazines passed on to me from my mom.

I am hoping...to have an incredible surge of energy, starting when I rise tomorrow morning and lasting me through the weekend! Or, actually, forever would be preferable...

I am going...to go to bed soon. Okay...soon-ish. Okay - hopefully before I sabotage my hopes of having the above-mentioned surge of energy by staying up until a stupid time for no good reason.

I am creating...order in my scrap space. Hopefully.

I am hearing...the damn Food Network! My husband loves this channel...and yet, as I look over at him I realize he is sleeping. What are the chances of me being able to turn the TV off without him waking up because of it?? Yep. Just what I thought. He's back, and so the TV natters on...

Around the house....small hints of Christmas, piles of laundry, a lot of assorted kid stuff. Seriously need to purge.

One of my favorite things...red wine. Like the kind that I am sipping right now.

A few plans for the rest of the week...Soccer, hockey, various household-related conquests, and the actual completion of some creative projects!

Here is a picture thought I'm sharing with you...
This is a picture I came across tonight as I was looking through my photo files. What struck me about this photo is Cody's sweet, babyish hand...still kind of pudgy, short little fingers...so cute, so sweet...he's almost past the age where any baby remains,so this picture is pulling at my momma heartstrings right now!

Still pinching myself...

I'm still surprised to be able to say this...I have been chosen to join a truly amazing group of women as part of the design team for The Inspired Scrapper. I'm beyond excited about this opportunity! These women are some of Canada's most creative talents - to be honest, I'm half convinced that I'm experiencing 'imposter syndrome' - I can't possibly belong among these people that I am now rubbing elbows with! Talk about motivation to 'step up my game'! Thank you, Sonja, for this wonderful invitation! I am so looking forward to getting to know the team better, and I can't wait to get started on my contributions!

And The Award Goes To...

Me! :) It was such a treat to open up my email this morning and find that my friend Kerry at Kerry'd Away Designs has named me for this Kreative Blogger award. So sweet! Thanks, Kerry! Once the award is accepted, the nominee has to do the following:

•Thank the sender for nominating you.

•make sure you link to the person who nominated you.

•Copy the logo onto your blog

•List seven interesting things about yourself.

•Nominate Seven Kreative Bloggers

•Post links to their Blog

•Leave a comment for each letting them know of their nomination.

So, here's the part where I list seven interesting things about me...('interesting' might be a bit of a stretch, but...here goes!)

1. I write with my left hand, but my right hand is otherwise dominant.
2. I taught myself how to read when I was 3.
3. A photograph of me was part of an exhibition at the Vancouver Art Gallery way back in the late 70's.
4. I got my first migraine headache when I was ten years old while on a bus with my class on our way to the Museum of Anthropology at UBC for a fieldtrip. I panicked because I thought I was going blind.
5. I started driving when I was 14 years old, thanks to an older boyfriend. I drove the streets of Vancouver for three years before I got my license at 17 (I think this tidbit qualifies as more of a 'secret' thing about me as opposed to an 'interesting' thing - so don't tell anybody!!)
6. I've never, ever tried smoking - cigarettes, or anything else, and I've never, ever done any other kind of illegal narcotic or street drug, etc.
7. I have a fear of heights and a fear of flying. I hope to conquer both!

Whew! That was tough - I wasn't sure for awhile if I'd make it to seven!

Now, it is my turn to nominate seven fellow bloggers.

1. Stacey at Pretty Crafty
2. The amazing Debby!
3. Erica at A Pod of Perkins
4. Eleonor's Stamping Blog
5. Tanya!
6. Joanne :)
7. Carla

Go check out these talented and inspiring blogs! Thanks again, Kerry - this was fun!

OWH Veterans Day Blog Hop...

Hello - and welcome to my blog! Maybe you found your way here from the Operation Write Home's Veterans Day Bloghop. If so - I'm glad to be one of the stops along the way! If you found your way to my blog through some other means, today I am participating in a blog hop, which, as mentioned, is hosted by Operation Write Home, through their Homefront Blog. Check them out!! OWH is an amazing, inspiring, grassroots organization that collects and ships handmade cards to men and women in the armed forces deployed overseas. The OWH mission statement is as follows:

OUR MISSION
To support our nation's armed forces by sending blank greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them.

As soon as I heard about this group, I knew I wanted to be part of it! It feels good to know that, even in the smallest of ways, I can do something, from way over here in my little corner of the world, to give something in return for the dedication and sacrifice that our heroic servicemen and women provide us. OWH has a Hero Blog that shares letters from these heroes and their families, expressing their appreciation and gratitude for the cards that they receive. It's so rewarding to read these communications from the people our cards reach. It's what fuels my motivation to keep gathering cards together and sending them off, and it gives me an airtight reason to ensure that I make time for my creative indulgences - a definite bonus! I'm in the midst of making as many Valentines Day cards as I can in time for the January 8 mailing deadline. January sounds like a long way off, but the way time goes hurtling along, I know I'll be down to the wire on these! I'm also going to write as many AnyHero cards and letters as I can. Don't know what an AnyHero card/letter is? Click on any of the links above to find out!

I hope to edit this post at some point today with some images of some of my cards, but in the meantime, I'll share this picture of my Grandpa, who was a veteran of WWII.

Now, I'll send you along to the next stop on our bloghop - without further adieu, go visit participant #70 - Chris, at There's No Place Like Gnome. Don't forget to leave a comment! Thanks for stopping by.

For Today...

"The beauty of the everyday moments". I've been interested in what The Simple Woman has been doing on her blog for awhile now, and I've been seeing her idea adopted on a number of blogs that I visit so I'm going to start doing it here. Seems like a nice way to pause at any point during the day, take notice of the moment, and reflect on it. I'm already certain that I will enjoy looking back on these entries.

FOR TODAY...

Outside my window. . . It's dark. It's late when I write this, but I can see what is outside clearly with my mind's eye - it's a view I have enjoyed for the last several years.

I am thankful . . . To be living in a country that has good medical amenities and accessibility.

I am thinking . . . .That I hope I am feeling a lot better tomorrow because I've got a lot to do around here!

I am celebrating . . . The amount of sunshine that we've been receiving in this little corner of the world!

From the kitchen . . . Homemade chicken soup, the way my Grandma used to make it!

I am wearing . . .Cozy fleece pants and a ratty old t-shirt. Hate to admit it, but it's what I usually slop around in while at home!

I am reading . . . A lot of blogs, and 'Breaking Dawn' by Stephanie Meyer.

I am hoping . . . That Casey is much better tomorrow, and that little Cody stays well.

I am hearing . . . The TV on in the living room. The TV is on way too much. Something to work on.

I am creating . . . All kinds of wonderful things...in my mind! Need to start getting these ideas from imagination to realization!

Around the house. . .Lots and lots and lots of work to do!

One of my favourite things . . . Quiet time in the evenings after the kids have gone to bed.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . .Rest. Recuperate. Get a date booked with a carpet cleaner.

A picture to share...

A Halloween Retrospective...

So Halloween has come and gone, and oh my goodness, it's November! November 1st, and the clocks have turned back. We've already taken all our Halloween decorations down...Halloween is not one of those holidays that can linger. It's been fun looking through the photos I took yesterday though - a few things struck me...

1. Where is Chanel? My daughter is not in any of the photos because she wasn't there. She had made plans with her friends. She's fourteen so it's understandable, but the idea of letting my daughter go off with friends on Halloween was somewhat nervewracking. It's dark, it's cold, there are ghouls and ghosts and goblins about with firecrackers and no curfews! The reality is, she had a fun (and uneventful!) time trick-or-treating with friends, then went to a friend's house for movies and a sleepover. A nice night, and perfectly suitable, for a teenager. It was a bit strange for me to not have her involved in our family activities. I missed her. But, it's one of those inevitable changes that all parents go through. For all the stages that get left behind, new ones come to replace them. Besides, that's what photographs and scrapbooking is for - I've got lots of great memories to look back at!

2. Casey decided to be a zombie this year. I had to wonder - what the heck does my six year old even know about zombies?! I asked Casey what he thought zombies were and he said they were dead people who were still walking around. I asked him where he heard about zombies. Of course, like so many things, he says he heard about it from a friend. An older boy. A seven year old! Ah, those playground lessons. A child's version of the information highway. We've all been a part of these sharings of wisdom at one stage or another. I have to admit, one of the first thoughts I had about Casey being a zombie was, "Inexpensive/easy costume! Yes!!". He could wear his dobok and be a Tae Kwon Do zombie. He was very excited about this. He was even more excited when the makeup kit we bought included a tube of fake blood. I was less excited about this! The kids wore their costumes to school on Thursday and I painted his face, but I told him that we would have to stop short of wearing the fake blood at school. He couldn't wait until Halloween - it was all about the fake blood! I'm not prudish, but the whole idea made me cringe a bit. Fake blood?! My sweet angel baby Casey was over the moon about fake blood?! It was very hard for me to paint a zombie face onto my little boy, but I got through it and seeing Casey so excited and proud about his costume made me feel pretty good. It's another one of those little milestones in childhood - the changeover from cute, cuddly costumes to grotesque, gory, and macabe ones!

3. Cody, my cute little crocodile. When asked what he wanted to be for Halloween, he told me he wanted to be a crocodile. Well, what do you know?! I just happened to have a crocodile costume in our dress-up box from a Halloween a few years ago when Casey was a crocodile. Again, I breathed a little sigh of relief, thinking about our family's piggy bank. Another thrifty, economically sound option. Then, I had a little case of the guilts. Cody is the child that gets all the hand-me-downs. Clothes, books, toys, costumes...Maybe he should have his own, unique, never before worn or photographed costume. I realized, though, seeing his excitement at getting dressed up for his little daycare Halloween party, and again in the afternoon on Halloween - making his crocodile roars and getting excited about scaring people - this is the kind of stuff that matters. He's two and a half years old! He's not putting the same values or judgements on all kinds of 'other stuff' - he's just excited and having fun! So, I shrugged off all my silly worries and just enjoyed watching him enjoy himself!

It was a fun day overall. We got together with some extended family, had a delicious and creative dinner of 'witches brew' (stew) and 'bat wings' (chicken wings) cooked up by my super helpful and super talented mother-in-law, and the kids got their treat bags stuffed! Now, here is what is, for me, one of those classic parenting dilemnas*. Trick-or-treating is certainly about the fun of choosing a costume, getting dressed up, and having fun running about the neighbourhood at night, getting excited about seeing all the other little ghosts and goblins (or cool looking Star Wars characters!), pumpkins all lit up, and homes and yards being creatively decorated. Trick-or-treating is also very much about getting all that candy! When trick-or-treating wraps up, my kids do the same thing that my brother and sister and I used to do when we were kids - come home, dump their bags out on the floor, and sort through the astounding variety of candy and chocolates that they collected.

*Dilemna - Management of the candy. The sheer volume makes me cringe. Words like 'juvenile diabetes', 'tooth decay', and 'childhood obesity' float around in my brain...We've got a pretty manageable system, I suppose - the kids can choose one piece a day. Well, at least, the two youngest kids. The oldest kid, the teenager, well - she is at the age where she keeps her haul in her room and it's up to her what she does with it. The truth of it is, she tends to binge for a good two or three days, works her way down to the inevitable motley mix of less desirable specimens, and then trashes them. Although my brain twitches a bit thinking about what she's just put her young, growing body systems through for the last 48 hours or so, it's over and done with in a pretty short amount of time. The younger kids are pretty agreeable and cooperative about the doling it out one piece per day over a month or so...when - oh my goodness, can you believe it?! They've eaten it all! It's gone! (wink wink nudge nudge). The classic parental disappearing act. Please tell me I'm not the only mom who utilizes this technique!

My favorite quote of the night: Cody and Casey are sitting on the floor at their grandparents' house prior to heading out to canvas the neighbourhood, just after I've finished painting Casey's face. Cody leans up against his big brother and says, "You're my best Zombie buddy!". So cute! Love the special bond those boys share.

Weatherwise, Halloween was a gem! Not a hint of precipitation. A sunny, blue-skied day settling into a crisp, clear, starry night. Not to mention the full moon! If I'd been magically bestowed with the power to script a perfect setting for Halloween night, I wouldn't have changed a thing!

Now, perhaps a few quiet, calm weeks to just relax before the inevitably frenetic rush towards the next big holiday? One can wish!

Red Friday...

What is Red Friday? Check out the Operation Write Home website or blog for more information. Here is a card I made using a very old Stampin' Up stamp (NOT a great photo!!) to include in a package of Christmas cards that I am getting together to send off before the OWH Christmas card deadline (all packages have to be postmarked by November 1st). Check out the OWH website and blog. Seriously inspiring, seriously moving, seriously all round wonderful!

To Everything There Is A Season...

Today is a grey, rainy day in Vancouver. It is also a bit cool. I think this officially ends what has been an outstanding summer here in Vancouver. I'm a bit sad about closing the door on summer, but because it really was such a spectacular season weather-wise this year, I have to be thankful for that much at least, and appreciate the good fortune of this lovely last stretch of Indian Summer that we have been enjoying up until now. Summer '09, we had a good run! Thank you for that! You will go down in the history books (and my scrapbooks!) as a winner! Truly, what more can we ask for? It's got to come to an end sometime, and given that today is the first day of October, I can't feel too much remorse! Besides, I don't like to focus on the negative. Remember the song, 'Turn, Turn, Turn' by the Byrds, from back in 1965, with words adapted from The Bible, book of Ecclesiastes? Click here for the YouTube link. It feels like a good song for today.

At work today, I left my building to head over to the nearby Starbucks. I hadn't yet had a caffeinated beverage and was feeling like my day, therefore, had not gotten off to a suitable start. My drink of choice through the summer months has been the Cafe Con Leche - also known as Iced Coffee, and I have not yet given up on this cold, refreshing beverage in favour of the steamy hot lattes just yet, so I suppose I haven't fully let go of summer...but I digress. This closing thought was not going to be about drinks or long goodbyes...I was going to end this post on a specifically positive, uplifting note. As I mentioned above, I do not like to focus on the negative, in any aspect of my life. I try to look out at the world with the determination that, to a significant degree, the success of a good day, or the failure to enjoy a day, is largely based on how we choose to see things. For example, I left my building today to head over to the nearby Starbucks. The outside world was somewhat dark, certainly gray, and enthusiastically moistened. A woman leaving the building at the same time as me stated, "What a crappy day!". I turned to her, smiled broadly, and said, "I prefer to think of it as lovely for the trees and grass!". She paused, looked doubtfully at me, and carried on her un-merry way. Apparently, she did not feel agreeable with me on this. Hmm. Oh well. I'll leave you with this:

"Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine."

- Anthony D'Angelo

Conversations With Casey - 2 Years Later...

While trying to clean and organize my life (I am afflicted with the strange and frustrating 'Always Organizing Yet Never Organized' phenomenon), I came across a piece of paper on which I had scribbled a conversation between Casey and I dated August 26, 2007 - my sweet brown-eyed boy was only four!

We had been organizing (a recurring theme!), photos this time, when I came across this picture of me taken when I was three. The conversation went like this:

Me: "Casey, who is this a picture of?"

Casey: "Chanel? No! You!"

Me: "That's right - that's me when I was just a little girl."

Casey: "You look pretty there."

Me: "Oh, thank you, Casey!"

Casey: "You're welcome."

Me: "Look how long my hair was!"

Casey: "That's why you look so pretty!"

Ok. He melted my heart. He often does!

I also found it interesting that a four year old boy is already defining a girl as being pretty because of her hair. Ah, biology...that primitive, undeniable driving force! Being a mother to TWO boys is going to be an interesting journey. So far, I've loved every minute of it, and I don't expect to ever feel differently!