Savvy-ness...

Angela posted a challenge on Savvy N Sassy about "finding your ness" - it was inspired by the movie "You Me & Dupree" in which Dupree encouraged Carl to find his "Carl-ness" lol...so what does that mean? I am not really too sure...ha! But I do know that I took this challenge and put my own spin on it...the papers are Basic Grey "Blush" and sponsored by Go Scrapping..!!

Savvyness

It's 2007...!!

Wow 2007 huh? Where does the time go??? Hope everyone had a great holiday and are settling into the new year!
Update on my murder mystery party....
IT ROCKED
omgosh it was so fun. my friends came in character and acted in character --
SO MUCH FUN
so much fun I am planning another murder mystery night in the spring!

here are a few fun photos from last weekend...!

arriving in costume
















the judges table
















my sister singing "Lets get physical" lol


































aaaaughhh shes been murdered!!!

















I highly recommend having a murder myster night with friends!

Dan and I spent our new years at the ice shack..it was so nice out! But of course after a few nights away it is always good to be home!!

xoxo

My Last Post for 2006

Well tonight is party night...the murder mystery at my house. I believe about 24 people are coming over...I am racking my brain wondering where they are all going to fit lol...I get off work at noon today...head home and prepare the jello shooters *yum* (will post photo later!), take down my beautiful pink tree and rearrange the living room to resemble the murder mystery stage. It is called "Murder on the Idol Stage" -- all my friends seem to be excited to play out their roles so cross your fingers for me that this goes off well....!! Everyone is chatting about how they are dressing character -- I will *definately* be taking a lot of photos tonight to share later...!

Tomorrow Dan and I leave for ice fishing for two nights sooo this will be my last post for 2006...it's been a pretty great year.-- some highlights of 2006 included....

-- being published three times for my scrappy work *yay!*

-- drooling -- I mean watching -- JD Fortune and INXS from the 4th row! Whooo hoooo

-- running my first 5KM run and actually ran the whole thing

-- getting better at golfing (plus I scored a new pink golf bag lol)

-- my sister got married

-- my dad has been fairly healthy all year (no long hospital stays!)

-- I met some scrappy friends in real life this year -- Jaklin, Paula, Kelly, Karen, Judy...

-- went to Scrapfest at the Mall of America and hung out with my MN girls - Susan, Jules and Kristin

-- just about completed 200 layouts this year...I think I stopped at 192 this year!!!

-- I have the best kids and husband in the world *smooches*

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

For all the wonderful friends I have....I wish nothing but a joyous 2007 for everyone full of new adventure and opportunity

xoxox

It's time...! Scrapbookers Clubhouse Design Team Call...!!

Come on over and join in on the fun...we are looking for our next design team. Scrapbookers Clubhouse has amazing kits...it truly is a great site to design for...! Read on for more details...hope to see you apply!!! xoxo

Scrapbooker's Club House has one of the largest online scrapbook stores in Canada. We provided a full stocked store as well as design fabulous kits which sell out each month. We are excited to annouce our next term design team call for six new members . Term will run February 2007 - July 2007. Due to postal time constraints, we can only accept applicants from Canada and USA.

The call...sumbit three items of your work into the design team call album in our gallery that you feel best display your style. We are very interested in getting to know you on our boards to determine whose style clicks the best to create fabulous team dynamics.

Design team members will be compensated each month with exciting kits to design with for the store as well as a 20% discount.

In return, we are asking for your fun loving personality, creation of 4-6 items of quality work with our kits in a timely matter, the ability to devote time to our message boards and contribute praise to our members in the gallery.

If this sounds ideal to you then we would love to have you apply to join our team! Join our boards, get to know us, post your entries in the designated entry album and fill out the following information and email to savvyshare@yahoo.ca

Entries will be accepted until Friday January 26th midnight EST. Design team will be annouced Sunday January 28th.

Full name:
Screen name:
Address:
Email address:
Number of years scrapping?
Three words you would describe your style...remember we are looking for a diverse team with different styles!
Main subjects you scrapbook....
Size of layouts you most create....
Are you currently on any design teams....if so, which ones?
How many message boards are you a loyal member of posting on a regular basis...?
If selected, how much time comfortably could you say you could devote to SBCH (posting, praising, doing challenges)
Do you enjoy making altered items?
What is your fave thing about SBCH?
If you were to give us one idea or suggestion how to improve SBCH what would it be?

saving for a rainy day...

ok not really a rainy day but I have some definate goals for saving in the new year..and here is my altered cigar box made for Scrapbookers Clubhouse using the January kit....! I sure hope I can meet my goals for the new year!!

Boxing Day...

Headed to the malls 7am this morning to hit some of the boxing day sales...got a new desk for my computer and a few odds and ends like photo paper...lots of people out there shopping....when I left there were cars in three directions duking it out for my parking spot...!

We also went and seen the Rocky Balbola movie...now...Rocky fans may feel nostalgic watching this movie but I only felt TIRED...man that was just a long drawn out movie -- lol...save your pennies and wait for this one to come on the movie network...I trust it wont be that long until its out lol

Back to work for me tomorrow - sigh...right now though...I am heading down to my much neglected scrapbooking room...its been a while...lets hope I can muster up some mojo!!! Gotta finish up a few DT assignments and then work on final party details for my murder mystery party on Friday!!!

Merry Christmas...!!

for those following the saga of my rebel...its over...lol...no rebel for me this year

however, this found itself under my tree....yes i cant get over it..lol....this is comparable to past gifts that include...the spare tire for my car and seat cushion for the boat....oh i know its not about the gifts -- of course i know that...but still a girl can wonder what goes on through a husbands head when he buys her this book....!!!

the stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

"....in hopes that St.Nicholas soon would be there...!!


I am so excited for Christmas...! I really really think that DH went out and bought me a Rebel for Christmas...!!! Here is a photo of the box under the tree for me *giggle*...if it isn't a Rebel, it is probably an equally impressive camera...LOL...I am so giddy looking at it...of course my spirits might take a beating if I rip it open Christmas morning and it isnt my camera....after all my spy work, evidence collecting...if it isn't the Rebel then Dan really put on a good show for me and had me going! lol


So anyhooo....lol....two more sleeps for that baby lol....



*crossing fingers* lol




In other wonderful news...head over to Savvy N Sassy and check out the newest ribbon kit up... our first kit sold out really quick....so hurry and pick up this beautiful pink set by clicking here...!

If I don't talk to you all personally, let me take this time to wish everyone a fun, happy and joyous Christmas and allth best for 2007!!


xoxoxo

Savvy N Sassy.....

I know...I know...its been a while since I last logged in and blogged! So much has been happening that I just haven't found time to sit down and update.
My friend Rhea and I embarked on a new adventure and opened up "Savvy N Sassy" -- its an interactive site with a gallery, message board and best of all...ribbon kits. We are teaming up with existing stores that sell awesome scrapbooking kits and are creating fun and fabulous coordinating ribbons....!!
Our first kit with Zany Zinnia has sold out! Our second kit with Timeless Inspriations will be for preorder very very soon...!!
Some exciting news to share...we now officially have our first ever design team at Savvy N Sassy. We are so excited to start our journey with the following talented and inspirational ladies...!!

Jaklin Piper
Vikki Leigh
Stacy Abbott
Carla Jones
Kelly Evans
Kimberly Fowler
Martina Brill
Michelle Klomp
Wendy Gibson

and a huge thank you to everyone who applied. It was such a tough decision with 40 equally talented ladies in their own way. I would also like to annouce our guest designers ~ congrats everyone~!!!

Angie Smith
Emeline Ng
Ellen Sosnoski
Angie Simonet
Shell Tisler
Cindy Tucker

On the big screen...

Paula's blog challenge was to list your favourite movies...soooo here they are! You will note that either I love to watch a cheesy comedy movie starting probably an ex-Saturday Night Live character oooor I love movies about the mob and drugs...lol....

1. Return to Paradise...ummm totally my absolute fave!! Also when I first fell in love with Vince Vaughn. I have to admit, he was much more appealing as an unknown star than the guy who is now dating Jennifer Anniston *insert eye roll* lol....

College grads Sheriff, Lewis and Tony meet by chance and become close friends while touring Asia on vacation. They close out a month-long trip to Penang, Malaysia with a reckless spree that two years later would test the boundaries of their friendship and tragically alter their lives: Lewis is sentenced to die in Malaysia for a drug deal, thusly Sheriff and Tony must decide whether they will imperil their own lives by returning to paradise and turning themselves into Malaysian officials, with the real truth, in order to save their friend's life.

2. The Departed....Leonardo DiCaprio is yummy in a bad boy way....this was a recent movie I seen but very very good!!!

3. Old School...omg this is so freakin' funny!!! I love this movie!!! When Wil Ferral is running down the street drunk and buck naked I about peed laughing so hard! lol

4 Superstar! ... okay yes I forgot to mention in my last post that "Superstar" is a nickname that I have had for a while! I do a mean imitation of Mary Katherine Gallagher and I have been known to tell people at the bar that my name is Mary Katherine Gallagher...but no...I have never made out with a tree before..hahaha

5. Romy & Michelle's High School Reunion....I love the 80s...I just love revisiting those days with a good ol' 80s themed movie ! The plot is far fetched and unreal but hey, its the perfect Sunday afternoon movie!

6. Good Fellas....Ray Loitta used to look hot...what happened?? I am always up for a good Mob story. I love the insight to what happens to such a different culture in society....

7. Finding Nemo...Dory is the most hysterical animated character ever! I bust a gut everytime I think about her talking whale...lol

Caaaan yoooou giive uuuus direeeeectioooons?

8. Pulp Fiction...this movie just rocks! Girls like me don't make invitations like this to just anyone!

9. Blow...I love Johnny Depp in this movie. This movie held me from beginning to end...love love love it.

10. cry cheese allyou want...I *love* Night at the Roxbury! How can you not bob your head when "What is love" starts cranking? lol

all rolled up in one....

Woooo....*rushing into blogland and sliding in*...it's been a couple weeks since I last blogged so I will try to hit the highlights and challenges all in one here lol

Condensing it nicely is Di's challenge from TTS...

Highlights from October...!!!

What movies and/or tv shows did I watch this month? The Amazing Race, Survivor, CSI (NY, Miami and Las Vegas lol) Went to the movie theater once and seen "The Departed" it was super good!!!

What special days did I celebrate and how? In October it was Trent's 11th Birthday...wow, time does fly doesn't it? Sigh! It was also my moms' birthday...and we had Thanksgiving here in Canada.

What fun things did I do with my friends and/or family? In October I cropped with my friends, held a youth dance on Halloween, Thanksgiving dinner, played a lot of pool in pool leauge!

What were this month’s disappointments? My car...my dumb stupid car - its costing me more money to fix it up every month than to probably make payments on a new one! Crossing my fingers it holds out through the winter at least!

What were my accomplishments this month? I had a layout picked up by PaperArt Magazine, there is a design team call for 2ScrappyChicks and am embarking on a new adventure with my friend Rhea. I also did about 14 layouts!!!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Erica's Blog Challenge....Winter Memories....

Okay here is one to share with you all. I grew up in Victoria British Columbia where snow was rare. Having a white Christmas would have to be a treat if it had ever happened. One year my sister and I woke up and it was actually snowing! I remember being sooooo excited....we had big plans to go outside and make tiny little snowmen. We searched our rooms for heavy sweaters and packed on three pairs of socks because it was SNOWING!!! Giddy with expectations, we ran outside....only to be so disappointed that the snow was just melting as soon as it hit the ground!! lol...now I live where we have snow at least five months out of the year and I hate it!!!!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Share's Blog Challenge...Nicknames....

1. Sugah Bogah - I have no idea where this name came from by my husband seems to think this is cute and calls me it every day. lol...No idea where the origin of this came from but it has stuck and I am destined to be called "sugah boogah" for the next umpteen years!

2. T-Bone or Lil' T Bone - This is a nickname that I believe my sister and her husband gave to Trent and it has stuck. He gets called T-Bone all the time!

3. Mars or Mimi - Nicknames for Mariah. Mars I have no clue where it came from and Mimi came as a result of Mariah Carey and some video she did calling herself Mimi lol...

4. Danny B - Thats what we call Dan lol....or "Dan Dan the Hunting Man" teehee....

enjoy the little things...

my favourite quote in the whole wide world is...

"enjoy the little things in life, for one day you might look back and notice they were the big things...."

and it is just so true...as my kiddos are 11 and 12 now, I look back at silly little things they have said and done and they truly are great memories that could easily have been forgotten over time...i guess thats why being a scrapbooker is important to so many of us...those little moments have a tendency to get captured through our photos and documentation...

so today's blogging...is something along the lines of those little things ~ its about the simple pleasures in life. I am not talking about the obvious happiness we get from our loved ones, I am talking about those little things that make life just that much more pleasurable...!

1. lip gloss...yessss I said lip gloss! I love wearing different shades and colors depending on my mood and I *love* lip gloss that is scented. Ever try Jessica Simpson's Butterscotch Toffee lip gloss or avon's chocolate fling lip gloss...yum...two of my faves!!

2. my computer...I am an addict...I have no problems admitting that I can not stand to be away from my computer for a whole day and not chat with my scrappy friends!!!!

3. pizza boxes... droooool....those who are scrapbookers know what I'm talking about!! Coming home and finding a lovely white pizza box at my doorstep filled with new scrapping supplies and patterned paper....oooooh, i love creating with patterned paper...i love touching, smelling and feeling new patterned paper....lol...yeah it sounds like a fetish...teehee....

4. the sound of rain...i love the sound of rain on my roof when i am sleeping and i love it even more when i am outdoors camping and it rains on my tent...!

5. a bug free summer day....seriously who doesnt love this?? I love summer, I love the outdoors and I love camping but omgosh the bugs...the bugs in Northwestern Ontario are insane!!! So those rare summer days that are bug free really make me happy!!!

6. singapore slings...my fave drink with a kick...I love to be able to go out once in a while and enjoy one (or five) of these...lol but more often than not, I settle for a can of coca cola...lol

7. chocloate. no explaination needed.

So there you have it, a few simple pleasures that make me happy...! And running with that in mind, I am heading to my scrapbook room to play with my new crate papers...!!!

small attainable goals....

that's what I like...small goals that can easily be reached! there is nothing like a sense of accomplishment in knowing you had a goal, a plan and you reached it.

in social work we use the SMART application a lot and I also like to add sometimes to my everyday life...

S - specific goal

M - measureable

A - attainable

R - realistic

T - timeline

so having said that here are my five goals I hope to accomplish by the end of 2006...

1. Lose 5 lbs....every pound counts...its hard with a hypothyroid problem but I am going to try and do more strength training instead of just running...all I do is run at the gym. I think I am going to add in more weights and hopefully that will help...

2. Find some albums to put my layouts into...I am so bad at this and I got this idea from Vikki's blog entry...I need to put my pages in albums! So if anyone out there has some good ideas of where I can find some cheap landscape 8 1/2 x 11 album ideas I am all ears!!!

3. Mad Money...I am starting a "mad money" fund to put away $20 a week for a getaway in the future. I am starting now because I dont think I would really miss $20 a week and come next spring I could theoretically have a lot of "mad money" for a fun getaway! So by the end of December I should have $220 away already of mad money!

4. 200 layouts! That has been my goal for the year 2006 - completing 200 layouts! As it stands right now today I have 43 more to go!! I think I can do it...! Go me...go me...lol

5. Small steps to a clean house....those who know me *know* I hate house cleaning but last weekend I actually did a lot of house cleaning and I realized I am less bitchy when the house is a little clean lol...so my goal is to spend a minimum of 15 minutes a day doing housecleaning. Now I know you clean freaks are thinking only 15 mins?? But trust me, this is a baby step for me lol and I am not including laundry time - that is one chore that I do without much thought lol....

So there you have it...I will update my list in January and hope I have some positive results!!!!

Now...have you blogged your five goals to acheive before the end of the year???!

Friday the 13th

ahh what a week...and it hasn't been all fun!

-- bought new fridge cuz our old one sounds like an earthquake

-- went to a meeting at work and was embarassed to be there with a bunch of adults who acted in such a poor unprofessional manner

-- our furnace went out meaning we have NO heat in our house and our new furnace wont be installed until Tuesday!!

-- I lost 3 out of 5 pool games on Thursday - but I attribute that to the fact that my head was still pounding from the meeting at work earlier on that day

-- I haven't scrapped ALLLLL week -- okay thats the absolute bottom line....thats where I draw the line...no scrapping all week? pffffffft!!!! lol

Now...let's turn that frown upside down...on the bright side of life....

-- my grandpa is doing so much better and even was sitting up in his bed at the nursing home, what a scare we had but he does appear to be getting a bit stronger each day

-- trent's birthday party is tomorrow, i have some fun games planned!

-- I cooked an awesome meal tonight (yes I cooked hard to believe huh???)

-- I got to see my friend katie and her 7 month old baby today

-- I have such awesome people in my life - both in my real life and my online friends...truly...love you all!!! xoxo

and here is a Halloween funny to share...this one was posted by Peggy over at Treasures To Scrap!!!

Happy Birthday Trent!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BABY!!

Omgosh I can't believe it has been 11 years since I gave birth to my baby boy...sniff...it's sometimes hard for me to digest the fact that he is eleven...in some ways he is totally still my baby.

Each day he tells me he loves me, plants a wet one on my cheek and always hugs me...and if anyone were to ask him "Are you a mommy's boy?" he would without hesitation tell you "yep!"

I took Trent on a walk this summer around Boulevard Lake with a couple of my girlfriends. My friend Katie brought along her newborn son. She said to Trent "I hope when my son grows up he loves me as much as you love your mom."

sniff...

I am *so* lucky

So to my son...I love you...Happy Birthday. I am so proud to be your mom.
xoxo

Thankful...

*

*


Well its that time of year...thanksgiving...does one really sit back and reflect what they are thankful for this time of year? I think it has gotten to the point where people associate "Thanksgiving" with a large family meal and for some families...football! Do families really get together this one day and share their feelings about what they are thankful for? I mean, we don't....we get together, eat way too much, talk about everyday life, say our goodbyes and head home. It's like any other family get together but somehow we got it embedded in our heads that on Thanksgiving we should be with as many people as we can and eat more than we should. It's expected.

What is the true meaning of Thanksgiving in Canada? Many believe it has the same meaning as our neighbours to the south...European settlers making peace with the orginal Natives of our land. It really doesn't...it is really a day to celebrate God & a successful harvest. Parliment declared in the following proclaimation in 1957:

"A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed ... to be observed on the 2nd Monday in October."


I am thankful for my family, my friends, my health, my happiness...I am blessed to not have to live in poverty like so many unfortunate families in our country. Sometimes being blessed with so much we take for granted things like a warm place to sleep and food each night to feed our children. I am extremely blessed and very thankful...


So yes, I may have a touch of PMS (lol) but tomorrow at our Thanksgiving dinner I will try my best not to overeat! Don't get me wrong, I am thankful for a lot in my life, I really am. But I am thankful for these things everyday not just the 2nd Monday in October!

Ready for Truth or Scare?

It's going to be a fun scrapping month ahead...come check out whats happening over at Treasures to Scrap~ there are some really great prizes to be won!!!

I am off to do a challenge or two right now! Make sure you tell them I sent you - we love new victims..errrr...I mean members...teehee...

things you never really wanted to know...lol

i went to a crop today -- i tell ya it is *hard* for me to pack a few things and go scrap somewhere other than my scrapbook room!!! But I managed to get four layouts done -- which is an unusually long time for me! But oh well four layouts is better than none!
i should really be in bed right now cuz i am exhausted but nope...here i sit at my computer waiting for something exciting to happen...i don't think that is going to happen soooo i decided to post in my blog

anyway here are some random facts that you really probably don't need to know but if you are reading this...you are curious! *and* if you are reading this consider yourself TAGGED - I wanna see your answers in your blog!! Let me know when you have yours up...!!!

Have You Ever...

Worn braces? I sure did...and I am grateful for it because I get comments on how straight my teeth are lol
Broken a bone? I don't think so...oh wait, my finger once...
Had stitches? Yes...ouch I fainted at a bank in the middle of summer and cut open the back of my head...yes my head...no freezing for those stitches...I remember the ambulance came to get me and I was crying saying "You aren't going to cut my hair are you??" lol..yes the big hair days....lol
Gone SCUBA diving? ummm NO! I can't even swim!!
Been stung by a bee? Yes I have...and surprisingly I am not allergic to them!!! I know some of you are shocked lol...
Thrown up in public? Does a party count? lol I remember hanging my head out a second story window and puking on someones roof when I was younger..
Been to overnight camp? As a child no, as an adult yes...just went in May with my daughters class
Written a letter to Santa Claus? Yeah but he never listened...who came up with the naughty and nice rule anyway???
Been sent to the principal's office? who me?? lol..*snicker* uh yeah...

Who/What was the last...

Person to call you? my daughter...asking me about thrush??? thinks my neice has it and was concerned and i guess she thinks i know all about it lol...
Last person you hugged? my hubby as soon as I got home from the crop
Thing you touched (before your keyboard!!)? I scratched my ear...lol
Thing you ate? um...chocolate..yes chocolate...caramel filled chocolate goodness lol
Thing you said? good night sweetie (hubby went to bed)
Website you visited (before this one !!) yahoo mail

blue sunday....

today i slept in...10:30 am

i decided after two days of sleeping in...i hate sleeping in!

it ruins my day, not enough time to get the things i want to do done

sigh

so i woke up started doing some laundry

did a bit of scrapping

came to the computer

got frustrated!

i cannot figure out how to add in my banner to the new blogger beta

so now i have a bannerless blech looking blog

and i am too frustrated to figure it out anymore

i am more confused than when i started!

today is a gorgeous sunny day

it ticks me off

why?

cuz one year ago today it was my wedding day

and it was pouring with rain

buckets of non stop rain

and therefore my dream wedding outdoors

is still only a dream

we got married inside the hotel our reception was at

it wasnt too bad

we had all our family and friends there

over 120 people

i felt like a princess

and i married my best friend

okay, best male friend

my sister is my best friend - lol

so happy anniversary darling!

hope you are having a good time hunting

She who....is wierd...

Okay so got a blog challenge thrown at me....to post five *wierd* things about me.
I know.
It's hard to imagine *one* wierd thing about me much less five of them...!
snicker.
people who know me don't call it "wierd" they call it "share" lol

1. I am a hypochondriac. I believe each week I have a new illness - usually the disease or illness I had last week is gone and I am now focused on a new one...with the exception of my heart...I cannot stand to feel my heart beating. There must be some sort of phobia name for this...I guess cuz heart disease runs in my family I am paranoid about having heart disease some day.

2. I have a wild sense of humor and I have humbly taken on the challenge of making every guy I know blush. The guys at work have made me a sign for my desk which says "Hootie's Bootie Party Station...Captain of the Fun Squad...turning the work day into play day..."

3. At work, I am well known as being "anally organized" and I mentor new staff on the proper way to do case management. However, once 5:00 comes, I leave work behind..and I leave my organizational skills behind...I am so not organized at home!!!

4. When I was 19 years old I got a tattoo of a heart and two stars on my left ankle. I did not know I was almost two months pregnant. When my daughter was born, her birthmark was a perfect circle in the exact same spot I had gotten my tattoo while pregnant with her.

5. If I were to choose my job in my next life I would be a dominatrix. *lol*

----------------------------------------------------------------

Okay so there you have it.
five.
i think i could have easily made it ten but my mind was getting out of control there.
lol.

So anyway! If you are interested in some cropping challenges this weekend there are two online crops going on -- it's Scrapbookers Clubhouse's SECOND birthday!! So what better way to celebrate than with a party!!

Also, the new design team at Timeless Inspirations is hosting their first crop with a fall theme - come join us!

Both crops have prizes, challenges, games...!!

oh and I have to say.....................WAY TO REPRESENT CANADA LUKAS!!!
CONGRATS ON WINNING ROCKSTAR SUPERNOVA!!!!