Laura's Blog

"Vacation"

2009-07-15T19:05:00.000-07:00

Yes folks, I already had to save my husband from falling the 100m drop down Look Off point, near Canning, Nova Scotia. What a goof!
This is what we saw when we looked over the the edge of Look Off cliff. Absolutely beautiful country.
Shannon had to give fishing a try while he was here. Wasn't too successful! Maybe it was the bait! Lol.
Peggy's Cove. One of my hi-light's. What a unique experience to drive in and spend some time there.
I literally had to drag Shannon away from the sea. He loves the crashing waves and wanted to find a chair and sit and watch for hours. He took hundreds of photos got some amazing shots.

Lonely sailboat...very windy that day. Probably perfect day for sailing. What do I know...I am just a stubble jumper from Saskatchewan. Just wouldn't want to be out on the water.Liked this boat, don't know why. maybe cause of the little one in front of it. And the color contrast.
this was the last shot on the way out of Peggy's Cove. Now we are on our way to PEI tomorrow. Lot's of driving to see Ann of Green Gable's. maybe more pictures before I get home.

" Prom"

2009-06-02T18:36:00.000-07:00

Well, the day has arrived and we or I should say I, survived the day and what a beautiful day we had! My sister Lana has not lost her touch to do long hair and she did a beautiful job on mine and Jenna's.

It has been a tradition of mine to count the hairpins when she does my hair since a few years ago when she used 72 to do an updo. I have to say that on Saturday, she broke the record and I was positive that she used over 100 pins, but to my surprise when I took it down Saturday night, I found only 89 in my hair. Unless she stuck some inside my head! Just kidding. Thanks Lana for making Jenna feel beautiful that day!

Well folks, here is my girls "Prima Prom Gown." Shut up. I know. Yes there are actually Prima flowers sewn on the dress. Forty eight of them in fact. But they were perfect, don't you think? It was her idea for the flowers and then what do you know, these new flowers appeared in the store.

Jenna's hairdo.

Jenna and her dad. He loves getting his picture taken. Ha! Not. Oh, well. Look at the shot of the dress. Great frontal pic!

These two can never stand still for long and take serious pics without goofing off! Akk! Good thing the gum didn't end up in hair or on the dress!

Jenna and Jenn have been friends since grade 9 and she is like my third daughter. She also had a unique grad dress because she picked hers up in Mexico. Rachel is Jenn's hair for grad.

Here we go again....Jenna has her sunglasses on upside down. Now it could be that she wasn't sure which way was up, not having the privilege of wearing sunglasses for long just getting contacts recently. But I am more inclined to think she was just plain goofing off again, much to her father's frustration....he had about had it. He wanted to get these done with, we were running out of time, and all I could think of was, "What a cool page this will make...I hope this picture turned out." Of course I didn't tell him that at the time either...hee, hee, hee. But this is so her. He just wants to leave and she has a way of making me laugh...I want to ring her neck, and she has a way of making me laugh. That's a good thing! I love her to pieces.

My mom. You will never find a more loyal grandmother than my mom. She is so proud of my girls and so supportive. She is there for their events and I am so thankful. I love her. My girls love her. She is their champion. And they know it.

Angelina. We came walking down the 300 stairs at TCU when it was over to cheering, whistling, clapping....to Angelina. Another champion of my girls. Another friend who loves unconditionally. My girls adore her. She stopped by with my sister and brother in law to see Jenna. I didn't get any pictures of Darla and Dave with Jenna that night with my camera.

You would think they graduated from Yale or Harvard as a lawyer top of class there was that much racket! I am so thankful she was here to share this weekend with us.

And finally Seth. Seth loves pretty girls. He needed to hug Jenna and he thought Jenna was beautiful and he thought her dress was too. Not because I made it, but because she wore it. The most important thing was that she felt like a princess, she looked like a princess and she was a princess and I thought she was the most beautiful lady in the room!

Thanks ladies for letting me ramble, brag about my girls appreciate you taking the time to stop by.

"Red Carpet Galla Oscarette Weekend Crop"

2009-05-05T07:55:00.000-07:00

Well, here I am finally posting pictures of our weekend crop. Thank you ladies for being patient with me. I am going to immediately give you a disclaimer on any blurry pictures right off the bat, as I was laughing so hard while taking some of them it was near impossible to hold the camera steady! And before you ask, no I don't have a stabilizer lens!

The first pics are random shots of some of the ladies on Saturday while they were working. I took pictures of everyone, but they didn't all turn out, so I apologize if your picture isn't up here.

I know Barb and Kenzie were looking forward to the crop again. They were busy beavers getting stuff done all weekend.

You guys always participate in our dress up and we appreciate it. Your participation is what helps makes our crops a success every time! Thanks ladies.

I think we have to separate these two! It doesn't matter that she is pregnant....but oh, the cards Twila and Chandra made after the one great make and take Ralna did with the Tim Holtz stamps! AMAZING! Wait a go girls.

You two are so much fun in a class together. Val, did you ever get your little book all done? lol. Shona, I think it is a full time job for you just to keep her out of trouble.

Janice, did you get much done? I didn't get to see you a whole lot that weekend.

Oh, my goodness, the giggling sisters. What fun you two are. Have they come to take you away yet? lol. Do you laugh as much in the card class?

Love the costume Barb! I do think you should look into getting a new optometrist, though. Something tells me he is over prescribing!

And the winners for page layout, card making, altered project, and costume are: rat-a-tat-tat. (That's the drum roll in case you didn't know).

1). Page Layout- Shona I.

Notice the red face? Couldn't get a shot of the page, though. It was beautiful.

2). Card making- Lee B.

Again, no picture of the card, but it was beautiful and unique.

3). Altered Project- Heidi or Melanie M. (Sorry girls, I always get you two
mixed up

"I would like to thank my family for their continued
support......." I almost dies laughing, along with the rest of the ladies in the crop room. It
was absolutely hilarious. This picture is the one of her
"acceptance" speech. I am surprised it isn't blurrier. You crack me up, girl!
Too funny!

And here they are with their Oscarette's.......Gold Barbies! That's right ladies! Custom made by none other than Madame Ralna herself. I tell you she rocks with creativity. They were awesome and the one that Heidi or Melanie won even sang!

4). Best Dressed Costume- Heidi and Melanie M.

Here they are with their Oscarette in their "Red Carpet" finery.

Then the evening was winding down and we had a little incident at the store up at the till. One of the girls Heidi (I think that was the one) was beginning to realize that winning the Oscarette and being on the Red Carpet does begin to have its drawbacks. The dreaded Paparazzi spotted her at the checkout paying her tab and started taking pictures of her.

At first it doesn't look like she realizes that they are snapping away. She even looks like any ordinary shopper.

Hold on.......something tells me that she is starting to clue in that the paparazzi is not just another tourist in the LSS. She does not look too impressed.

"Do I have something on my face?" You can tell she is just a newbie at this whole paparazzi thingy....don't give them any more ammo to throw into the tabloids. Next thing she will be reading is: "Can't handle the pressure of Hollywood, starting a nervous twitch....will Miss M. end up having breakdown?" or "Miss M. on drugs?

Really wondering what the photographer is doing following her all over the store as she gets ready to pack up her stuff. Beginning to think something is fishy......

Realizes she has been had! I cannot put the photo that she gave me.....let's just say that that is why tabloids get sued! Just kidding, we had a good laugh and the picture was so blurry that I probably could put it on here and nobody could figure out what it was! I hope ladies that it was okay that I took some liberty with these pictures. I had way too much fun taking them not to share them.

We had a great time, I had some fun with my camera when I wasn't doing my make n' take and you girls all make it so worth the work and time that goes into the prep for one of these events.

I hope the pictures were worth the wait, and I apologize for missing some people. Let me know what you think.

"That Colgate Smile"

2009-02-27T23:58:00.001-08:00

Well just one month short of four long years, my Jenna finally got her braces off on Thursday and just look at that smile! Oh my goodness, it was worth every penny spent, every hour of nagging (and I know for a fact she would agree with me now too), and any amount of agony they may have caused to have her teeth look as good as they do now.

They pulled her jaw over, removed stubborn teeth, and had to wait for baby teeth that just wouldn't fall out (genetics), but I think I may be in more trouble now than ever! lol. May have to really get out that shotgun, clean 'er up, and keep 'er right by my bed. Okay, enough kidding. In all seriousness, I couldn't ask for a better orthodontist in Dr. Remmer. I was afraid he was going to retire before Jenna was done and he is such a perfectionist, but he finished till the end.

So, anyway, I thought I would share with all of you.

The first thing she wanted to do was eat an apple. She has never been able to bite into one for almost four years. She thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it and decided she just might buy shares in an apple company...no wait, her exact words were we should buy shares in an apple company! So these last two days, she has been enjoying food she has not normally been able to eat.

So I have a few more pages to do and hopefully these will get done soon!

That's all for now.

"Angie & Me"

2009-02-02T21:33:00.000-08:00

This is one of those pages that came together really quick and easy, which doesn't happen very often for me. I actually don't even mind this page. Anyway, Angie is my very good friend and I am glad the page came together as well as it did.

The quote says: "A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you forget the words." That pretty much describes her. You are truly blessed if you are still friends with someone after 23 years. I just love her to pieces!

Here is the page that was done for the January calendar kit. I finally remembered to take my camera to work today and took some pictures. Unfortunately, the snowman paper is discontinued and we are all sold out. Did some stitching with the embroidery templates for the first time. Didn't mind that too much. Used some stickles, felt, stamping, stapling and that just about finished it. We did a card and a 6x6 page too, but I ran out of time tonight, maybe I'll post those next...so I have something else to post about next week. lol.

"It's That Time Again"

2009-02-02T08:53:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! Surprise, it isn't even two months since my last post. Just thought I would let everyone know that I was going to take my camera to work today and take pictures of the last layout I did and take pictures of my January calendar kit and post it for everyone. I am currently working on February's page kit and there is still room in the class.

It's getting to be that time of year again and my baby is graduating...sigh. And yes, I am making her dress. So I will be starting on that one soon. :-)

So, I should have some new pics up soon if I remember to take my camera to work today! Everyone, have a great week and I am sure we will see some of you in the store.

"Family Christmas"

2008-12-29T21:50:00.000-08:00

Once again this year, our whole family got together at my sister Lana's house, for Christmas eve supper. It was the first time in over three years that everyone was together for a meal. Of course, there is alot of food, goodies, games, laughs and tons of pictures! We had this smoked sausage that oh, my goodness reminded me of my Papa's homemade sausage! He had his own smokehouse in his backyard (only in small town Saskatchewan, and only 2o some years ago)! He made the best sausage in the whole world! This stuff was the closest to his and Lana made it with, gulp....sauerkraut. Mmmm...can still kinda taste it. Anyway, so good.
There is something about this picture I love. Granny hates getting her picture taken, and usually does not cooperate, but she sure loves her grandchildren, and to hear her talk about them, a person would think they either found a cure for cancer, invented something significant, or married into royalty. She is so loyal and I absolutely love her humor and spunk. She will be 88 and still lives on her own and does all her cooking, cleaning and does some driving. And boy, she sure can take a strip off your hide if need be! (Never very often, in fact only now as she gets older....when we were kids, we got away with murder!)

Not sure who won the good ole crokenole game, but dad played a bit, had new glasses and still bent the posts! we were teasing him for his poor aim!

My Rosie, she sure loves playing her card games. It was quite funny when she was helping Rachel along..."No, don't play that one out of your hand, pick the one up off your pile and use it first so you can turn another one over." "Play the one from your hand, then lay the one from the pile...." we were laughing because Rach was trying not to be insulted.

It was so good to see Auntie Karen and Uncle Terry. This time last year, Auntie Karen was battling ovarian cancer. She is one of the most beautiful women inside and out, that I know. I have not seen her in a number of months, and I was so glad to see her in such good health. She is in complete remission. She so reminds me of her mom (Shannon's grandma) with each passing year. God is so good.

The girls like doing the Nancy Drew mysteries on the computer and they got a couple new ones this year. It seems that Severin was interested in what was going on. (Or could it be that it was a cool privilege to sit in with the "older" cousins for a bit to see what they were doing?) You forget what it is like having little kids around now that ours have grown up. It is such fun. (Especially when they are someone else's and they have to deal with the crankiness.)

Here is another miracle. Maybe some of you remember the "Miracle" page I did of Harcus three years ago? This little boy almost died at birth and had major heart problems. God has touched that little boy so many times, so many ways. He ran his first marathon this summer and got his medal. He was so proud of that medal, he had to take it to the specialists appointment to show him. When he told the specialist that he ran his first marathon, the specialist replied with, "I ran a marathon too." Harcus not wanting to be outdone replied back to the specialist, "I bet you didn't get a medal?"
God is amazing!!!!

Hmmm. The three stooges? Not sure, but none of us like getting our homely mug taken. Why did I put it on here you ask? Because alot of people ask to see a current picture of these three stooges.

I have so few pictures of either of these characters, let alone the two of them together. Love this picture. Will have to scrap this one alone.

Okay. When I say to you guys, that I am getting crusty and crotchety, like my dad, this is who I am referring too. I am pretty much a chip off the ole block. We had been standing there and Shannon kept saying, "Just a minute, need to get another one, need to get another one." We kept standing there, and still would be if Shannon would not have snickered. Then I clued in that he was just pulling our leg, trying to get dad going. Almost worked, too.

So that is pretty much the extent of my Christmas this year, alot of driving. Alot of fun, food and good times with family.

"Last Parade"

2008-12-08T23:52:00.000-08:00

So today marked the end of five and a half years of service to air and army cadets. This was Rachel's last parade as a cadet.

Yes I did get a little emotional on the drive over as I began to reflect on the past two and a half years as an army cadet. Not only for what the program did for Rachel and the opportunities it presented to her in her young life, but I think more importantly, how Rachel has affected the lives of many young teenagers over the course of the three years. She took cadets seriously and did her job as DSM (drill Sergeant major) seriously, but more importantly, she was there if she saw a hurting child. This is what drew her to the field of social work.

Here she is receiving her CO's certificate of service and I did manage to get a few pictures tonight of the parade.

That's all for tonight. Sorry for the lack of pages. Will have some in the near future for you.

"Monty"

2008-11-09T21:42:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone, meet Monty. This is an Australian Terrier and he belongs to some very good friends of ours. Isn't he the most adorable pup? And yes, he is a stinker!

I had to post because I haven't posted in a while and I haven't actually scrapped in that long either, so I thought I would post a cute photo of this puppy and let everyone know that I am alive and well. I also thought I would beat everyone and get a new post up before everyone started harassing me about not blogging in a long time. lol...

Monty caught his first mouse today and he was so excited! For those of you who didn't know, terriers are bred for "mousing" and "ratting".

Anyway, I mostly wanted to share the cute photo with you and say hi. We'll maybe see some of you in the store this week!

"Extreme Adventure"

2008-10-13T21:08:00.000-07:00

Here is the picture taken of where Rachel was last week in Alberta on her Glacier expedition. Suffice it to say that she came home a few days early because there was a blizzard, and it was an extremely difficult expedition. She still has to do the journaling for it, but I did get to use the new SEI line and I love the colors.

So ladies, I outdid myself with three pages wahoo! Now I have to get busy and finish the calendar for the calendar class I will be teaching Nov 15....not to mention our crop weekend coming up.....or Trisha the following weekend. Oh, the fun! See you in the store.

I have wanted to do a page about Jenna and her attributes for a long time and finally finished the page yesterday. Most of these photos are old ones (ancient in her books...lol) but they still describe her character to a tee. In fact, I thought of more and ran out of room so I quit. Anyway, the page is doe with the new Granola line from Basic Grey...go figure. My favorite of favorite paper companies. They rock! And two of their new chipboard lines. Yup. Still like the stuff.

"I've Been Tagged"

2008-10-08T21:59:00.001-07:00

Okay, so you can tell by my title that I have obviously been tagged by a sweet, hilarious, ex-friend (just kidding) and now I am supposed to come up with 6 facts about me that you guys are supposed to find interesting. You would think this wouldn't be too hard, after all, I.....wait, I will put this one down as my first fact.

1). I love to talk...lots...to everybody. You guys know it, when you come into the store, my jaws are usually flapping. That's just me.

2). I am just a tad sarcastic....okay alot. I find the older I get, the more sarcastic I am. I wonder why?

3). I had a great uncle who served in WWII who was German, but fought against Hitler because he hated what Hitler was doing. He survived the war and came home, wouldn't talk about it, but I am thankful today that he fought for my freedom. Don't know if I moved away from Canada, if I could fight against my birth country...

4). I am a terrible procrastinator. Bad. That is something I inherited but I won't say from which parent...lol. I hate that trait, but I still haven't been able to change that one. Still working on it though.

5). Like to play practical jokes on people....fun ones.

6). I am an arachnophobic. Period. I hate eight legged crawly things. I haven't figured out why God created them. Oh, I know that they eat mosquitoes and all that, but I am sure for how smart God is, He could have come up with something less.....offensive???? They are icky!?!

Rules:

1). Link the person that tagged you.

2).Mention the rules on your own blog.

3). List 6 unspectacular things about you or your group.

4).Taggify 6 other bloggers.

Vren Lagadi tagged me.

I taggify: 1). Sharon from work 2). Julie from work 3). Jenna P. 4). Ralna N. 5). Rachel P. 6). Rachel Roberts :-)

There you have it. Now I hope no one is mad at me, it is all in fun. Now I didn't mention how much I love Tim's coffee because I put that one in the one I did a while back. So have fun ladies!

"The Race is On"

2008-09-16T21:26:00.000-07:00

Well, we all pretty much know that Ralna and Sharon went to the Elton John concert last night. When tickets went on sale, Ralna was able to nab two of them and they were right up front! Alas, Sharon didn't have her film SLR with her but Ralna did....

Ralna has the photos..................Sharon needs the photos to scrapbook the first Elton John concert page that she is so famous for.............Ralna is not working tomorrow............Sharon is working tomorrow night..............Ralna has the photos...............Sharon does not..............The race is on to see who gets the first page done.......Ralna says Sharon will because she doesn't have the time, nor is she working..........I say it's hard to scrap a concert page without the photos.

What do you think?

"Good Friends"

2008-09-03T22:14:00.000-07:00

You guys are going to faint...two posts. Angie and I go waaayy back. To the very first time we (Shannon and I) went to Washington. That was over 20 years ago. We have been great friends since. She has the Italian hospitality, a great cook... oh my goodness, can she cook!!! And do we ever laugh! She is perhaps the darkest blonde I know. Shannon torments her because she is quite gullible. I think perhaps some of me is rubbing off onto her and she is getting quite saucy with Shannon. Her driving has improved...hee, hee, hee. Darla would even feel comfortable in the vehicle. Jenna and Mike (the two youngest) fought, up until this last trip, like cats and dogs. They would argue about what shade of blue the sky was.

I Just wanted everyone to meet one of my very dearest and best friends, since I was talking about Washington alot. And I don't even mind this picture of me which is rare!

"Back From Vacation"

2008-08-26T22:59:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pictures from our vacation. Shannon took some cool ones of the Space Needle. Seattle is such a cool city. It is full of interesting individuals...you see pretty much everything while you are there. Both girls say they want to live there, but I think most of them do after they have been there. Myself personally, after a few days, I am ready for Circle Drive, 8th St, College Dr, 22nd, and our 10 min traffic jams. You don't know a traffic jam until you are stuck on the I5 in Seattle at about 5pm rush hour...yikes! Saskatchewan looks better and better. I am a prairie girl at heart.

"Finally"

2008-06-27T08:07:00.000-07:00

Yes, I finally have a few pictures of Jenna to post. Rachel did a grad photo shoot of a friend yesterday and Jenna went along to assist/accompany/get some candids of herself. Rachel managed to take some and I like them all. I will be scrapbooking these of her. Who knows, maybe she will do another photo shoot of just Jenna.

Have a great long weekend everyone!

"Dude"

2008-06-10T11:37:00.001-07:00

So, this is what happens to your nephew when the teenagers get ahold of him after church! He looks absolutely adorable and the little stinker knows it too! Now the only thing he needs is to have his hair a little longer and spiked and it would be perfect. I plan on scrapping these pics because I can't not. What is it about the youngest siblings that has this mischievous look in their eyes and they are just the stinkers? If anyone figures that one out, I'm sure they will be the next multi-millionaire.

"La-la-la-la. I can't hear you." I said, "Seth look at Rachel and smile, please." "La-la-la-la."

"Arrrggg!" What a goof! Trying to get a nice picture with him, AFTER he has had female attention (yes, I did say female) is NOT going to happen. He is a charmer and I love him. He makes me laugh every service, and then makes me extremely thankful I had two girls!!!!

"2008 ACR"

2008-06-02T22:49:00.001-07:00

So here ends another year of cadets. The awards banquet is on Thurs evening and then it is all wrap up stuff for summer camps. My girls are not going to Vernon this year although there is a tug to go. Alot of their friends will be there staffing or taking another course.

Here is the first picture taken of Shannon in uniform, with the girls. I have to say, they look pretty sharp. I will have to be scrappin' this one (maybe in black and white) as I won't get too many more pictures of them together in uniforms. Rachel ages out in Dec of this year, so this was her last ACR.

Lt. Col. Johnson is from Moose Jaw and he was our reviewing officer for the day. He was also the Dep. Comm. Officer of Vernon Army Cadet Summer Training Centre last summer and will returning there this year. He is just a super nice, down to earth kind of guy who truly cares for kids. He remembered the "Peterson" girls and was quite willing to pose for me. He was sorry that they were taking the summer off as he put it "It is hard to find good staff cadets."

Neither of the girls received any medals this year, which kinda sucks, but that's the way she goes. I can honestly say they aren't in this for the awards and medals or they would have quit a long time ago. I am proud of the job they have done and the care they have for their fellow cadets. That is way more important in the grand scheme of things.

Anyway, maybe I'll get some pages done soon, I hope. I really want to do the pages of them and their dad and this one with LT. Col. Johnson.

I want to say thanks to Sheryl and her family for coming out. I have pictures for her that I have to email to her of her kids with my girls. I see some future cadets in the making, I think! Also thanks to my sister Darla, mom, Grandma and Shannon's parents. It means alot to the girls to have their family there.

That's all for now. I may post some marching pics as Rachel was Flag Team Commander this year and Jenna was on the drill team that did a demonstration.

"Photo Shoot"

2008-05-23T00:11:00.000-07:00

Here is my recent page of my nieces Amanda and Melissa. This picture cracks me up because it so catches their true personality. Rachel tells them to look off to their left and Amanda obeys Rachel. Melissa does at first, but then she just has to sneak a peek and that happens to be when Rachel snaps the pic! The whole curiosity thingy! Now I am warning you that I used an old line of Basic Grey paper so there is no sniff of it even being in the store. Sorry. But the color was just perfect for the page. Bling, flowers, buttons, and rub-ons...again my favs. Really like how this one turned out. I started out with an idea from pagemaps.com and changed it a bit.

"Melissa"

2008-05-21T08:45:00.000-07:00

What are the odds of finding something that actually exactly matches something in your photo...without going out and purposely matching it up to a specific paper line before taking the picture, like us crazy scrapbookers are wont to do? The funny thing was trying to explain who Heidi Swapp was, why I put a bird on my page and what did a "stupid bird have to do with Melissa's picture anyway"? to my sixteen year old, it was quite the challenge! She just didn't get the whole embellishment thingy. I mean I even pulled out Deb's page of her and Heidi Swapp that she scrapped in LA and showed Jenna who she was, that she was wearing her trademark hounds tooth skirt, and that she is kinda known for the bird embellishment....by then some the wind was taken out of my sails, so to speak and you realize you aren't talking to a true scrapper when you have to explain everything. You know what I mean? We've all been there when we are talking to someone who doesn't speak the language...yup. I just ended up telling her to "never mind the bird has no significance except to decorate" to which the sixteen year old wisdom/sarcasm/tude replied, "Well that's dumb." Thus ended our conversation! And everybody with teenagers say AMEN!

"Capturing the Moment"

2008-05-21T08:34:00.000-07:00

This is one of the few pages I finished using the pictures Rachel took from the photoshoot she did of Darla, Lana and myself. For people who really don't like getting their picture taken, we really had alot of fun that day. We laughed and made Rachel work extra hard. The PDQ paper is so easy to use because it is already done for you and when you want a quick and easy page...tada! I think that is why I am liking this line so much because I like using several different patterns of paper on a layout and these are already preprinted for you. Slap a picture on it, add a few embellishments and it's done.

"Spring Stampede"

2008-05-19T13:35:00.000-07:00

This is Shannon's supply office...the back of the Budget truck!

Rach still doesn't like dirt roads with trees on both sides...wild boars may have something to do with it! This tent picked up and started blowing away! Fun trying to tie it down again.

So Shannon and the girls spent a couple days "out in the bush" with the cadets doing a weekend of training. It was hot and windy, no wood ticks (I think that was a first in Saskatchewan history) but they had fun. I have a ton of pictures...again because three cameras went out there and all three of them were busy snapping away. Here are a few of them and I can't wait to scrap some of them.

The first night the coyotes were right on the edge of their camp and actually the RSM of the corps decided he wanted to sleep in a hoochie Friday night. Now for those of you who don't know what a hoochie is, it is a tent that is maybe 3,5 feet high, about 5-6 feet long and doorless on both ends. Yup. Can you imagine sleeping a little ways off from the main campsite, hearing the yipping of the coyotes, like right there and looking up out your door into the eyes of a coyote? Yah, I think I would've had a heart attack right on the spot. He had his big knife out and ready because this big coyote kept circling his hoochie. Nothing happened, but I'm sure it took a few years off his life!

Besides eating IMP's, dirt, playing a type of capture the flag game where Rach biffed it but good trying to tag someone, getting sun burned, all is well. Jenna walked up to a kid on the other team and asked him if she could have a drink of water as they kept walking towards the ball they were supposed to capture. She made it quite a ways into enemy territory, when a "wiser" cadet asked this first year what he was doing with the enemy, to which he replied, "Sgt. Peterson needed to go to the bathroom." That wasn't what she told him, but she kept her mouth shut hoping to get closer still, snatch the ball and run. But, they caught on to her scheme and they tagged her when she was within sight of the ball. I howled when she told me this because this is exactly what her dad would do in this situation. Talk about using your head! Lucky for the other side she didn't quite get away with it. Shannon and another Instructor laid in the grass in the early evening while the kids were doing an orienteering course and as they walked by, one of them (I won't mention any names) threw a stick and one of the kids nearly jumped five feet in the air as they rolled on the ground laughing. All in fun. Good clean fun.

So, this ends my blogging for one day. This is what happens when I don't blog forever! You guys get "Bogged Down"! Sorry, I couldn't resist the silly pun. Hope everyone had a good long weekend and we shall see many of you in the store this coming week!!!!

"My Rosie"

2008-05-19T13:16:00.001-07:00

I have always been going to do a page titled Rosie or My Rosie, but I never seemed to have the right picture... until now. She is such a sweetie and reminds me of my Rachel in so many ways. She sat and posed for her pictures like a little lady. Her middle name is Rose and I started calling her Rosie several years ago and it kinda just stuck. It has become my pet name for her. In fact, when her mom tries to call her petunia, she emphatically replies, "Mom, my name is not petunia, it is Rosie."

Again I used PDQ paper, stickles, black Prima bling, Prima's new flowers, and leaves(which I absolutely love) and Making Memories chipboard letters, and Heidi Swapp ghost letters. I am trying to use my stash, so some of the newer layouts coming up will have old paper on it. Just a heads up because people come into the store looking for the stuff we use on our pages and we won't have it anymore. :-) Sorry.

"My Little Man"

2008-05-19T12:55:00.001-07:00

He was such a goof that day! If you look close, you might actually see the outline for his halo...not! He fooled around, wouldn't sit still, made his many faces, all to get this one angelic picture. Everyone that walked by on the Meewasin couldn't help but smile at his antics and I laughed pretty much the whole time (much to the chagrin of my sister) and Rachel came away just a bit frazzled. He was pretty much your typical boy...with a little ADHD thrown in there! LOL.

I have not had the chance to use any of the PDQ paper line and this seemed to fit quite well. You cannot tell with this photo, but I used the Grungeboard letters, inked and glazed them, Heidi Swapp clear letters, Cricut diecut font and some 7 Gypsies rub ons.

"Random Layouts"

2008-04-14T23:04:00.000-07:00

So I finally got around to blogging tonight, don't faint or fall off your computer chair. I usually have to fight three other people for the computer to begin with and then I have to make sure I am going to have enough time to finish! Sounds good anyway. These are older pics of Hannah but I was glad I got to use up some old paper...for a change. Some stickles, buttons, and stamping and that is about it.

I've had these pictures for a while and wanted to do something special with them. Lately I haven't been satisfied with any pages I have done. Ralna even commented on it, that I comment on every page I do, that I am not happy with something...whether it is just the embellishments, journalling or paper. Again, using up stuff in my stash. That feels good. I love the pictures of the girls in their dress blues, they look sharp if I do say so myself. The colors are so rich and the uniform so classy. Anyway, Rachel received the Legion Medal of Excellence last May.

This was the fall FTX and I used the Cosmo Cricket line of patterned paper. An older line again...go me! Also used more of my Thickers. Good old blocking and lots of small photos.

I think Lorraine took this picture of Kaylin and I at last years Spring Fling, so I had to scrap it. I totally lifted the page from Page Maps, as I was in a rut and needed to accomplish something. Liking the new paper and embellishments.

These are perhaps some of my favorite pictures of my grandma and my daughter because they so much depict their true character. I can only hope that I am like my grandma if I live to be her age. She always has a smile on her face, and is a joker....don't think it runs in the family? She has a great sense of humor and I was so glad when Denise caught her and Jenna skipping down the sidewalk the day of Rachel's prom and photo shoot. You know me and chipboard...many fonts, and I also got to use up some Heidi Swapp ghost stuff!!! Ink and glossy accents and a little bling and I'm a happy camper!

"Masada"

2008-03-31T09:43:00.000-07:00

One of the reasons why I went to Calgary besides taking my girls and some other youth to our district youth conference, was to finish these scrapbook pages I insisted I had to do for Sherri on Masada. Her husband Mel went to Israel last February and she started 2 books at our last Spring Fling...one for her husband and one for Mel's friend who took him. Mel is every scrapbooker's dream photographer...he takes awesome pictures of the details of everyday life in Israel. Anyway, years ago my pastor taught a series of bible studies on Masada and the place has always captivated my interest. Hence the need to scrapbook these photos for Sherri.

The fortress itself was nothing short of an architectural masterpiece with natural cisterns, groves, walkways, colonnaded porticos, gardens and storerooms for arms and provisions sufficient to supply 10,000 men for many years.

Herod used Masada only as an occasional winter resort and possibly a few vacation trips and after his death in 4 B.C., a Roman garrison was stationed there until A.D. 66. A large scale Jewish revolt broke out at that time and they made a raid on Masada, displacing the Romans. As fighting continued throughout Palestine, many zealous Jews made their way to Masada to strengthen their garrison.

After the fall of Jerusalem under Titus in A.D. 70, the few remaining Jews who evaded capture, made their way across the Judean wilderness to Masada to continue their battle for freedom.

In the fall of A.D. 72, Falvius Silva, theRoman general, took his Tenth Legion, it's auxiliary troops, thousands of Jewish POW's and laid siege to Masada, then defended by Eleazar. For long months the patriots defended themselves against the Romans, but eventually completed an enormous earthen ramp (using Jewish POW's) to the top, placed battering rams against the walls, and set fire to the fortification. In the meantime, inside he walls, Eleazar gave a speech which set in motion a page in history never to be forgotten. When the enemy broke through the gates, what they found was one of the most touching tragedies in human history. The Jews, not wanting to fall into the Romans hands and a fate much worse as a POW, decided it would e better to die at their own hands. So embracing loved ones, with sword or dagger, they dealt the fatal blow. Collecting all their treasures in piles, they fed them to the flames. Next they chose ten men by lots to slay all the rest. When the deed was done, they again cast lots to determine who would kill the nine and fall on their own sword.

April 15, AD 73. When the Romans broke through, they found alive only two women, and five children, who concealed themselves and a mass of 960 dead bodies.

I have always been fascinated by this historical tragedy and hope someday to visit Masada myself.

"Big News in Our House"

2008-03-15T22:14:00.000-07:00

So I bet you are wondering what on earth I am on.....two posts in one night. Well, I just wanted to share the news with you.

Monday night is a more important parade for the girls. It is the CO's Parade and they get to wear their dress blues, there are promotions (for those select few), etc. But what is really exciting is that my husband Shannon who has been a Civilian Instructor for the last year has just been accepted as a CIC Officer! Monday night will be his first official parade as an officer. They are scrambling trying to get him a set of combats because his uniform isn't in yet, so I should have a few pics of Monday night. Should be interesting!

That's all for now, so until Monday.........

Cheers.

"Don't Keel Over"

2008-03-15T21:42:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I have a few more pictures to post until I get my camera back sometime later tonight so I can finally upload my new pages. That is mostly the reason why I haven't posted anything new in a long time...I figured you guys may be sick of seeing just pics. But Rachel was in one of the building her uncle is a custodian of and she was able to take some pretty cool pictures. The top one I really like and I will be scrapping it..I have it in black and white also and I already know what paper I am going to use.....go figure! And yes it is a new line that just came in this week. She is sitting on a ledge about 2' wide and about 6 stories off the ground....her hand is about 3" from the edge. Yup, just glad I wasn't there because I couldn't have watched.

I think this is my favorite photo. The firemen came to do some training in the basement and she got some shots of the trucks and flags. And before any of you ask, there are no photos of any firemen! She really had fun that afternoon.

Here is one more and I like the angle of this shot again taken from the rooftop. I just really like the rich colors. Let me know what you think of the pics!!!

"Christmas"

2008-01-06T19:43:00.000-08:00

My favorite picture of the girls taken either Christmas eve or Christmas morning. Where does time go? It just seemed like yesterday that I was chasing them away from trying to pull the ornaments OFF the tree!

Our infamous crokinole tournament. We had fun and laughed so hard! My dad bent the most posts! That was so unbelievable. He used to be able to do triple plays, and I was even shootin' better than him that night. Good times!

The Peterson cousin clan. That's a mouthful. Left to right on the couch: Rachel, Brandon, he's holding his brother Severin, Jenna, she's holding Harcus, and Justine.

Severin after the backhoe fiasco covered in sawdust.

Don't fall off your chair...yes I am posting, finally. Life is just too hectic and I need to figure out how to slow it down. When I do, I'll let you all know!

My Christmas this year was quite a special one. For the first time we had Christmas dinner with my family in almost 24 years. We started out in Wynyard for Christmas eve weekend and had fun because we spent some of it with Shannon's brother Scott and family. It is always fun watching little children open gifts. We got Severin a battery operated backhoe and did he have fun! It didn't take Shannon long to find something to "dig" up in the shop and before you knew it, Sev and Harcus were covered in sawdust! It was rather funny and the boys needed a bath before bed but boy did they have a blast!

We came back to the city early Christmas day to have Christmas dinner at my sisters house. It was really nice to have our whole family together. Do you remember what it is like to sit down to a feast and not only look at your siblings, but when you see food dishes prepared that you ate when you were children, it was so........Twilight Zone? I don't know if I can find the words to describe the feelings that were going through me that day. Then we played crokinole, took lots of family/sibling pictures and just had a really good family day. So much so that it left an indelible mark on my eighteen year old about the importance of families.

So, it has taken all this time to let everyone know that my Christmas this year was perhaps in many ways the best one since the year Rachel was born. I have lots of pictures to scrapbook (go figure) so I had better get some pages up!

"Mauraders"

2007-12-04T12:47:00.000-08:00

Yes, I did do an actual football page. This was the challenge Julie threw out to me using the new Beckie Higgins Sketches. Jenna is on the yearbook so she was at this football game. She took some pretty amazing pictures and I will have a few more pages to do. Some of these will be in the yearbook (I think) they should be, of course cause I'm her mom and I know best! lol I really had fun doing the tried and true color blocking and lots of pictures because when I was developing them, I couldn't decide what pictures I wanted to scrapbook so I had more than enough! The neat thing about Jenna being on yearbook, is that she is now liking taking pictures. She doesn't like all the technical stuff (much like her mother) but the bug has bit!

I did finish the chipboard album for my sister Lana and gave it to her this morning. She loved it and I knew she would. My middle sister Darla also loved it and expressed a desire for one for her birthday and knows that I should probably get started now if I want to get finished by July! I couldn't take pictures of it though because my camera battery was dead and I wasn't able to charge it before heading out to give it to her this morning. Hopefully will have that posted before too long!

"Mr. Monkey"

2007-12-04T12:33:00.000-08:00

It doesn't matter how old you get, you can always find room in your heart for another stuffed animal. There was just something about this picture that I loved. Mr. Monkey does that to you! If you don't have an aversion towards stuffed animals, you will after holding Mr. Monkey. Anyway, the picture was just too cute to ignore, so I had to scrap it! Loved working with the Scribble Scrabble paper line and I am loving using any Heidi Swapp clear anything!!!

"Still Doing Field Trips in Grade 11"

2007-12-03T08:41:00.000-08:00

Don't fall off your computer chair. Yes, it's me and I am blogging....again. I don't like it when life gets hold of you and takes you for a ride. I need to take time to prioritize. We can get caught up (or I can anyway) on our busy schedules and get stuck on that treadmill. Before you know it, a whole month has passed and I haven't connected with half of the people I wanted to touch base with. I don't like that. So I am going to work harder at that, life is too short.
So Jenna's Chem class had the privilege of going on a tour of the Cory Potash mine just last week. So the photography bug has hit my youngest daughter (finally) and she took something like 280 pictures of that morning! Pretty cool experience for a kid who was born and raised in good ole Saskatchewan! I have never been underground on a tour and both my dad and brother worked in a potash mine years ago. I find it fascinating and I know it is going to be challenging to scrapbook these photos and do them justice! I was already looking for rust/orange mottled paper but wasn't successful yet. I have something in mind and I am doing what I advise our customers NOT to do......come in with a specific pattern in their head and think we can match a paper to it! Good luck. I hope I can find what my brain has cooked up.....if not, I will improvise. So these pics will wait until I get my many half finished projects completed.

P.S. That combat skirt I made came in handy once again! Best invention ever.

"My New CEO"

2007-10-26T20:20:00.000-07:00

Okay everyone, isn't Seth just adorable? I took this last Sunday night after church. He was so intent on playing a game on his dad's IPac. He looks just like the up and coming business executive. With his cute secretary too! I will be scrappin' these pics (hopefully in this lifetime) soon.

"Photography Challenge of the Year"

2007-10-09T06:53:00.000-07:00

Here are a few of the pictures that Rachel took yesterday. As you can tell by the title that we kinda had fun and gave Rachel a little bit of a hard time and her mom and aunties have licence to do. The first picture makes me laugh because for some reason Darla really like this "bush" and so on our way back from the river, we decided to get a few pics with it in it. What we didn't realise was that Rachel was snapping while we were getting situated! We look like the proverbial dog looking for that comfortable spot on the mat that circles and circle's until he just plops down on the floor!

I tried to climb into a tree (quit laughing everyone) but my shoes weren't grippy enough so I had to settle for being planted on the ground. Besides which we got branches in the hair, and Darla got one in the face while Lana was trying to break it off!

The only sad thing is that the card Rachel used for the first 150 pictures she took won't let us remove them from the memory card. Rachel is the most upset about this. We are still trying to figure out if there is a way to salvage it.

That's all for now!!!

"Thanksgiving"

2007-10-07T19:35:00.000-07:00

Hope this finds everyone relaxing after an enjoyable weekend spent with family or friends. I am kind of excited because tomorrow if all goes well and the weatherman cooperates, Rachel is going to do a "sisters" photo shoot of Darla, Lana and myself. It will be the first time we ever did this... I think ever. We'll see if Canon is as good as they say...we will be testing it to the limits! Hee, hee, hee. It should be fun, and if nothing else we will laugh our fool heads off and drive Rachel crazy. I should have great scenery pictures anyway! I won't promise anything, but if there are any decent pics, I'll maybe post a couple. I have always wanted to do a little book of sisters, so hopefully I'll have my chance. Right, add that to my already many unfinished projects!

"At The Park"

2007-10-03T10:30:00.000-07:00

I met Darla and the kids at the park yesterday afternoon and I had to bring along the camera. They were so much fun watching running back and forth from the slide to the the ramp thingy (great technical name, huh?) to the swings. Then they wanted to run up the hill, down the other side. I have so many pictures that capture the expressions on the faces of each child that truly depict their character. Seth has this impish look on his face...the little stinker. Hannah has come so far, she tends to be a worrier. When I showed Rachel the pictures last night, she could totally relate to Hannah. Rachel and Hannah are so much alike in character, they are both the more serious siblings. Hannah takes after her mother and that is in no way a negative trait. There are so many things about my sister that I admire. It was Darla that led me to my Lord, and in fact brought our whole family to Christ, and Hannah has that same sensitive nature, as does Rachel.

It was comical when Darla told them it was time to go! Seth was adamant that he was going for one more slide. (after he went down two more times already). He wasn't quite ready to go home. But the promise to climb amongst the rocks on the way to the van helped get his mind off the fact that he was leaving the park. Oh, the antics we parents have to use when dealing with toddlers or teenagers!!!

"Harvest Crop"

2007-09-26T22:19:00.000-07:00

Okay, go ahead and have a good laugh. Ralna did yesterday. I looked at the work schedule for Saturday and realized that she scheduled me to work from 12-6pm.....ding, ding, ding. Are the light bulbs going on yet? The nerve of her! How can I miss one? How can I miss out on the action? This isn't right? I think I will go on strike! You guys could phone the store and tell her how much you just lllooooovvee me being there....just kidding. I have already started going through withdrawl. I have been whining ever since. She even asked me if I thought her, Deb and Sharon could handle it. Of course they can. I know that is a bit "redonkulus" but you ladies have to realize that I haven't missed working a morning of a weekend crop registration since I started working at JSI 3 1/2 years ago! Have a little mercy on me. I'll just have to "suck it up" as the saying goes. I know I'll get razzed and that's okay, just go a little easy on me or I might not show you all the new product that came in, you may have to go and search on your own........which could be scary considering the whole store is re merchandised and even I don't know where half the stuff was put!

So, I won't be seeing any of those in-line registries on Saturday morning!

So all you convention die harts will have to wait until the "Spring Fling" to see me during the registration madness!!!

"On The Farm"

2007-09-26T09:13:00.000-07:00

For any of you who have been coming to the store for any length of time, this is my nephew that had open heart surgery last year. Quite healthy looking isn't he? I can report that he has a clean bill of health and in fact I know God is good. He doesn't need a heart transplant now and I don't know all the "medical" info but he is going to be just fine!!!! He is picking out a new kitten here and having a tough time deciding which one they are going to take home.

Getting help feeding the horses from big brother Brandon. I just had so much fun taking pictures that day. The kids were fun.

We went out to Wynyard a while back and had a blast taking these pictures of the boys. This one above is my favorite with the horses. They have the complete attention of all five of the paints. I gave these pics to Baylee, but I think I have to scrap them too! They are just too cute!

"Help"

2007-09-21T06:56:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm going out on a limb here. If you've been in the store lately, you will have noticed that we have been doing alot of mini projects, cards, etc. A few weeks back, Ralna asked me to do a project out of that Hospitality magazine and I am finally getting to it. You think you know your self and all your little quirks until you try and do a project like this! I don't want it to take a year, and Ralna knows that these projects can seriously take, like forever as it is!

This is where I need your help. I want to to the little book in there called "You Can Quote Me" except when I started trying to come up with all my "famous" quotes, well let's just say the book is going to be mighty thin. So I thought I came up with a brilliant plan-let's post it to those customers who know me well and see what they remember about me. I'll start it with a couple of quotes I came up with and then I seriously need your help! I was thinking of the best ten Laura quotes. Thanks ladies I know I can count on you!

1). That is too funny!

2). Let me show you the new product we got in. (Sound familiar ladies. I am always saying that one).

3). You crack me up.

That is about all I have come up with. Pretty skinny book. I eagerly await.

"New Kitchen"

2007-09-17T12:07:00.000-07:00

Okay, you have to admit there is absolutely no comparison!!! I love my new kitchen. Shannon put the cupboards in and the countertop. I love it, love it, love it! He is amazing. He can do anything....well almost anything. He did an awesome job. We aren't quite done yet, have a bit of trim left which is going to be the hardest of all, and a bit of decorating and tada!

2007-09-13T14:21:00.000-07:00

"Sunset Parade"

2007-08-27T23:18:00.000-07:00

So after driving two days we finally arrived in Vernon. There is something about watching 800 cadets marching out onto Dieppe Parade Square that just does something to a cadet parent. These kids have come from across western Canada and some parts of eastern Canada. They have worked hard, learned alot, had fun and made alot of new friends. All to come to this night. Emotions are running high for some. I know Jenna has made some friends with a group of about 10 or so kids that she has called several times since she has returned home. Have you ever seen a whole platoon of about 3o kids, guys and girls bawl their eyes out when it came time to say their goodbyes? It was happening with Jenna's platoon. I never had so many kids want to meet "Jenna's parents" than that night. There is something about hearing the bagpipes playing "Amazing Grace" that stirs this girls scottish roots. Many are going home immediately after the parade, while some are flying out the next day. Saying goodbye is never easy when you don't know if you are ever going to see them again. So, we packed her up Friday night, went back to the hotel and waited until morning to pick up the "other half " before setting out on our long trip back home. The phone and computer has not stopped since then and we even received "snail mail"...I know it's amazing kids still know how to use the old method of communication! Anyway, I'm glad they are home and life can resume back to a somewhat normal pace.

"We're Home"

2007-08-20T09:08:00.000-07:00

We finally arrived home Sunday afternoon after almost 16 hrs driving home in two days. We have two very tired, but satisfied kids. Goodbyes were hard, especially on Jenna because she probably has one of the closest platoons on base. I don't think I have seen so many teenage guys literally bawl their eyes out! Some they will never see again as they will age out this year, and never return to Vernon for another training year. You know what was funny? If anyone was watching, (which I doubt it, but just in case) I am sure they could have been confused wondering how many kids I really had...I found most of our Saskatoon cadets that call me "Mama P" that had to run up and give me a hug! Just seeing a familiar face must have felt good to them. I had good ole Minnie run straight out of his barracks hollering "Mama P" and ran to catch up to us so he could give me a hug and talk to us.

I have a ton of pictures from both girls, with alot of stories that kept us entertained all the way home, in between naps! So I guess I won't run out of pictures to scrapbook, between the two of them over 600 photos where taken! That isn't including the ones we took of them and their friends saying goodbye and then the Sunset Parade. So maybe I'll post a couple pictures of the Sunset Parade until I get a couple new pages up and posted.

This just about takes care of our summer. They start back at school soon. Life will return to somewhat of a normal routine....maybe. But we will have changed and grown and become better...more mature young adults...let's hope. Have a great rest of the summer!!!

"Batallion Sports Day"

2007-08-09T21:22:00.001-07:00

Here is a rare photo that Wayne Emde took of the girls last Saturday during Battalion Sports Day. Rachel was able to get down from Foxtrot for a few minutes as they don't participate in the event. It is only for those who are there for the six week courses. I'm thinking I have a few pictures from these guys. They did a great job for me!!!

Here Jenna is talking with her Officer in Charge (otherwise known as her OC), Major Vecchio on their way to classes.

Grad Parade day on second intake. We were excited because Rachel had received some great news. She was promoted to Warrant Officer for the remainder of her stay at Vernon. So this last intake of cadets she will be a Platoon Warrant (what she did at home here for the last year) but with about twice as many kids. She was so excited. Her promotion parade was on Sunday, so I should have a picture up soon with that.

As I have flipped through these pictures this year and even last years pictures, there has been one thing that has become apparent. Even though I do not know the CO of Vernon ACSTC personally, Col. Al Dengis has impressed me alot. This is why. In this photo, you will see him squatting down talking on the level with basic cadets. These are kids that generally range in age from 12-14 years of age. This is not a photo op, he is out there in the rain getting to know the kids. Not sitting in his office staying dry. The very first intake of kids coming in late at night (past midnight) at the beginning of July, he was at the airport along with other officers to greet them because it was and still is a tradition. Some of these kids have never been here before, never been that far away from home before, nor for that length of time. He wasn't at home in bed sleeping letting an underling take care of it...he was there, himself. Who do you think those kids are going to remember? Those kids on the FTX that are cold and miserable and wet, one of the hi lights of their camp, I guarantee you is going to be that the CO of the camp came and spent time with them, got wet with them, ate the prepacked food with them, was ONE OF THEM. Look....he has the attention of every one of the kids'. In the next photo, he, along with the retired CO and another military guy came out to the abseil site, and they all went down. My point is, he mixes with the kids, all the time. As far as I know each FTX he goes out their and sees them, checks on the band kids and sees how they are coming along playing. He leads by example. Any great historical leader was out front with his men, not sitting behind his desk giving the orders afraid to get his hands dirty. Even though I don't know him personally, I see what he does....I really like this guy. I think he is just a big kid at heart!!!!

" Rush Hour in Vernon"

2007-08-03T13:54:00.000-07:00

When Francois posted this picture I had to take a second look, then I started laughing! I love his sense of humor. Can you imagine a traffic jam on base in Vernon? But he managed to catch it on camera. He truly is a scrapbookers photograher! I thought I would post this picture because those of you who know me well, know I have a quirky sense of humor and pictures like these make my day. I hope someone else enjoyed this shot, and saw the humor in it just as much as I did!

"Community Service"

2007-08-03T07:59:00.000-07:00

One of the many things I appreciate about the camp in Vernon, is what they teach the cadets about community service. Every year they pick something in or around the city that needs cleaning up or something done and the cadets go and do it. Here this platoon from Rifle Coach is cleaning up around and in the creek. Some of the cadets were in the water up to their waists, picking up floating debris. In this picture, Jenna is about to cross the shallow part of the creekbed. So glad Wayne Emde was there for me again!

There are not too many organizations out there that promote and teach this kind of team work, and community work. This not only teaches the cadets about being a good citzen but it instills in them (or tries to) a sense of giving back to your community. Something we are sadly lacking these days. In the group picture above, does it look like the kids are choked because they had to do some physical work? They seem to have a sense of pride in being a part of something bigger than themselves. I think that is the key to this whole thing. It is not about them as individuals, but as a team, working together to accomplish a goal...for someone else. But is leaves you with a pretty satisfied feeling to be a part of something like that. I have done it, I remember that feeling of giving of yourself and feeling satisfaction. Sorry, there is my rant! Keep up the good work, guys!!!

"Pay Back Time"

2007-08-01T08:02:00.001-07:00

You know that when we were kids and our parents told us the rule in life "You Reap What You Sow?" Or "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you?" Well, I talked to Rachel last night and it is becoming very apparent that she is getting her just rewards, so to speak. She is known to be a practical joker and on their last ftx, she caused quite a stir when she scared a few senior staff cadets. (Some coming out of the porta pottie) They swore revenge on her and when I was talking to her on the phone the other night, she received her first scare, which nearly took five years off her mothers' life because she screamed into the phone. She proceeded to tell me that a couple nights ago that her and another staff cadet were so freaked out they were almost crying! They were in there tents (like the one in the picture above) and it was just before midnight when it started and they could hear footsteps outside. When they called out, of course no one is going to answer. First of all, if someone is trying to scare you, they aren't going to say, "It's just me out here walking around your tent trying to freak you guys out, don't worry about it, I'll be done shortly. " If it is a kid who is up to no good,they aren't going to answer. We humans are funny sometimes aren't we? Admit it...we all do it. Anyway, they whipped open the door and didn't see anyone and this carried on for a bit and each time they whipped open the door no one was there. They even ventured down the road around 12:30 am, scared spitless!!! So they came back into the tent and sat on the bunk huddled next to each other, shivering, almost crying. Now, the kind, sympathetic mom that I am, was cracking up! I was getting a great visual here. Anyway, about the time they couldn't take much more suspense, someone cracked their binder on the outside of the tent and Rachel let out this blood curdling scream! Remember she received an official fun award last year for the "Best Pipes". Don't know how many she woke up this time, but I had a good chuckle. I once again reminded her, as parents are prone to do, that you reap what you sow. I also had to let her know that the most sightings of Saskquatchs are in the BC, Wash., and Idaho area. She wasn't to happy with me for that one because we had all read this fiction book on them not long ago, and now I know her imagination will be working overtime!!!!! She said that Vernon was too central and populated! But the seed is planted....hee, hee, hee. Imagination is a wonderful thing!

"Busy, Busy,Busy"

2007-07-21T18:34:00.000-07:00

I have not had time to scrapbook lately, so you have been getting pictures . I am hoping to get some pages done in the next week or so. Been busy at work and at home. I want to change my blog design too (with someones help) hint, hint. One of these days. I have so many unfinished projects I wanted to complete before the girls got home. Won't see all of them done, but they will be surprised. I don't want to tell them any of it. I wish my cupboards were going to be in by then, but at least we can have the living room and kitchen all painted and ready for the cupboards. There are not enough hours in a day or I just wish I didn't need to sleep!

I talked to Rachel tonight on the phone. She had a very late night last night seeing kids off and new ones in. As she was talking to me she let out a very small "aah" like you would for a bug or a spider crawling on you. I asked her what was wrong and she replied, "Oh we have a very bold mouse in our tent." And oh so calmly carried on with our conversation. This mouse just scurried over someones foot as we were talking on the phone. Did I have the right child? Someone must have kidnapped her. This is the kid who almost made me hit the ditch on Circe Drive when she was about 5 or 6 yrs old because there was a bee flying around in the car and she let out the most bloodcurdling scream you ever did hear. I thought someone tried to kill her. This cannot be my child...she could hear the bzzz of a mosquito at 300 yds and couldn't sleep nor let anyone else sleep until we killed it and every last one of them in the house. This is the child who was afraid of ladybugs, dragonflies, grasshoppers, aphids, flies,... you get the drift. You talk about someone conquering fear...Rachel has conquered fear and overcome! Her favorite part of cadets is FTX's... where you are outside on the ground roughing it. The rougher the better. No running water, no comfy beds, no white porcelain, etc. God is amazingly awesome!!!!

"First Graduation Parade"

2007-07-21T18:17:00.000-07:00

Mr. Wayne Emde took this picture of Rachel saluting the reviewing officer as he is about to inspect her platoon. When I see an obvious picture like this I think of the Sesame Street song, "One of These Things is Not Like the Other." Her first parade is over. Today, her next intake of cadets arrive. I have to say, she looks sharp. Is is wrong for a parent to feel pride for their child's achievements? I think in this day and age, our children need all our support we can give them. So, one down and two more to go. Has it been a walk in the park? Nope, but she will have grown again in leaps and bounds. There is nothing we face or go through as a child of God that is wasted. That is the beauty of serving Him. He not only walks with you side by side, but everything has a purpose in Him.

"Stylin' and Profilin'"

2007-07-19T21:21:00.000-07:00

This is too funny! Styling and profilin'! Now, if I suggested she wear something like that, you could imagine the fight on my hands. It reminds me of Big Bird. Sorry Rach, this is scrappin' blackmail material! But then again, they are used to it. Thank you Francois for being at the right place at the right time.

"Cousins"

2007-07-19T09:16:00.000-07:00

I was trying to get a picture of the three of them but there were too many people for me to back up far enough to get them all in and Brandon was just too stinking tall! So he had to crouch down to his cousins level so I wouldn't cut his head off in the photo. Some day I'll scrap these!!!

"Brandon's Grad"

2007-07-19T07:55:00.000-07:00

There is a right handsome boy. I have to say he was the best looking boy there that night (not that I'm a tad predjudiced). It was funny to see him duck a little when he walked through the door when they called his name. He is 6' 4-5" not sure which. At that height, one more inch really doesn't matter to shorties like me! When I give him a hug I hug his belly button he is that much taller than me! He makes a big production of squatting to hug me the goof.

"2 Day Bike Trip"

2007-07-18T22:36:00.000-07:00

This is Adventure Platoon. Jenna wanted to switch into this company when she got to Vernon. With the advice from her Commanding Officer, he thought it best she stay where she was. For several years now she has been plagued with pain that flairs up periodically in her right leg. We don't know what it is, but extreme exercise would only aggrevate it. This course is nothing but extreme exercise/activity. It would have been perfect for her if she didn't have a bad leg. They biked for two days. Mile after gruelling mile. The neat thing is, when they get back from this tiring trip, the CO and other senior officers at the camp are standing outside welcoming them back to base. It makes for a nice welcome back. I posted this picture because one of "Mama P's" adopted boys is in this platoon sitting in the middle front row. Next to the girl in the orange shirt. He never fails to give me a hug every time he sees me at the armouries or where ever he is. It doesn't matter who is standing around, how many of his friends are there he still hugs me and calls me Mama P. It gives me warm fuzzies because I don't have boys, so I have to adopt them :). Sean is perfect for this course as he is very active. We'll see how he does. As you can see the scenery is something these kids will never forget as some of them come from as far away as the Maritimes and Quebec.

"The Interview"

2007-07-18T22:07:00.000-07:00

I missed Jenna's call today by five minutes. Arrggg! She got to shoot the C7's today and she told Shannon that she loved it! When I asked her dad how she shot, he told me that she was the third highest shot in her platoon. I thought that was pretty good. Knowing her, tomorrow, she will strive to do better, "shooting" to be the top shot! Sorry, I couldn't help the puns.

Yestersday Jenna was reviewed by an officer. Kinda reminds me of a job review after three months. Only this happens on a weekly basis and I believe by different officers (I'll have to ask her for sure). A little nerve racking if you ask me. I hope I can talk to her tomorrow. I want to find out what kind of questions they ask you. Todays pictures on Vernon's website are awesome. I may try and download some more.

I found out that Jenna shot 197/200. Now that's what I call shooting! Someone else shot 199 and someone actually shot a 200. There are 34 people in her platoon, so she did pretty good.

"Where's Jenna?"

2007-07-17T18:50:00.000-07:00

Can you find Jenna? This is almost like "Where's Waldo?" Really isn't that difficult. The only skirt in the bunch kinda gives it away. The first Sunday afternoon they have all the cadets get together on the commons and they have a bunch of skits etc...I don't know if Jenna's platoon did one or not, I haven't had the chance to ask her. Last year Rachel's platoon made local television when they did their skit and Rachel had a random lady come up to her and tell her she saw her on the local new channel the night before! Rachel was rather embarassed to say the least. Sitting directly in front of the band has to be hard on the ears, though. I do know that they have a great bunch of girls in her platoon!

"Girls in Vernon"

2007-07-14T13:32:00.000-07:00

Jenna sitting in on a lecture under a tent. Hot, great comfortable chairs. Sounds like fun? Not my idea of a great time...give me air conditioning anyday. I remember as a kid living outside (mostly because if I was inside my mom always found some work for me to do)! I wonder if I gave her that option at home what the response would be? Hm, I might have to try it. I am starting to get some great parenting ideas lately....this could be scary.

Here is a photo of Rachel at the airport in Kelowna picking up an intake of cadets. The camp photographers Francois Arseneault and Wayne Emde follow the cadets around from the time they open their eyes in the morning until they turn out the lights at night for the duration of the six weeks. They then compile a DVD of that six weeks for the cadets. I have been given permission to post photos of my girls on my blog from the photographers. I have had the pleasure of talking to Francois on the telephone a couple times and he is as passionate about photography and the cadet program like we are about scrapbooking!

If you get a chance to check out the Vernon website to see some of the shots he gets of the cadets, go to: http://www.armycadethistory.com/ Then click on the Vernon website on the left. If you check out last years pictures (2006) towards the end of the summer, the last week of camp Fri, Sat and Sun pictures are awesome. Enjoy them and let me know what you think. They put alot of time and effort into this website for us parents to keep track and maybe get glimpses of our kids while they are away. Drop me a note and I'll pass it along to him.

"You Are Amazing"

2007-07-13T09:24:00.000-07:00

My baby is growing up too fast. She is still my tomboy in disguise, though. The bottom picture truly shows Jenna's personality to a T. She can be all dressed up, and if someone challenged her to climb a tree she would find a way. She is amazing and I miss her!!! I admit it. I love the scalloped paper and these titles (I forget who makes them) sorry Ralna :) a little bling, some bling cardstock.
Well, everyone gets to see a picture of Shannon and I together. Miracle! What a job Denise had too! Between Shannon and his dad Gordon, not cooperating, she had her work cut out for her. We had lots of fun and she did get some good pictures of us. For people who are usually holding the camera, this is a good thing. It will probably be another two years (Jenna's grad) before we get more family pictures taken, because we love it so much!!! Once again, trusty old Basic Grey patterned paper and rub-ons. A little glaze on the rub-ons and we are finished. Oh, and the buttons.
I love this picture of Lana and Will. I have had it for almost two years. I wanted to do something special with it and the paper I was using just wasn't working. So I kept putting the picture aside and doing something else. I pulled it back out recently determined to do this page. I went on the hunt for paper and low and behold good ole trusty Basic Grey was perfect! I love the colors and of course, I ended up using a design I did before (not quite the same) but when you are in a slump, you just sometimes have to get a page done! This was my picture, but I know when my sister sees this page, she is going to want it for her album. How can I say no? Ink, bling, rub-ons, and a little chipboard and patterned paper. That's it. Simple.

"Life's Lesson's"

2007-07-11T08:09:00.000-07:00

Well, I received another phone call Monday night from Rachel. Still chuckling about it. She is coming down with a cold which is what happens to her when she doesn't get enough sleep. That's not what has me laughing. She started telling me how "she wants to come home, this isn't so much fun anymore." She didn't go as far as to say "I want my mommy" though, that would have been a little too much too soon. She has one cadet from Saskatoon who shall we say, is a rather unique individual, one cadet who was throwing up, and one cadet who was homesick. This was just Monday nights dealings. Just two days after they arrived!!! Of course I started to chuckle because it started sounding like being a parent...the only difference was, she was getting paid cash!!!! I was going to encourage her and tell her that it was okay that things were going to start getting better when I realized that yes, they would get better....just in time for these kids to go home and the second set to come in and the process to start alllll over again!!!! So I wisely kept my mouth shut and listened to her as I as quietly as possible chuckled under my breath.

She then asked me if Jenna told me about "that guy" to which I replied "yes" and started laughing. She got a little testy with me and said, "Mom are you laughing?" To which I admitted to doing. She said "Mom, it's not funny." This poor fellow is staffing in another company that is on the other side of the highway 2.2km away. I guess he kinda likes Rachel and he also walked up to Foxtrot where Rachel is staying just to "see how she was feeling" on Monday night. I asked all the usual questions how old, ( 17-18) what's his name, (I don't even know his name, mom!) and the laughing started all over again! I felt bad for her. She doesn't want this but it is all apart of life and growing up and learning to deal with situations that you face that just don't go away. Life overload. With multiple situations at one time and not lose it...... life. She is afraid he is going to ask her to mess dinner and believe me some of those guys go all out! So she has her work cut out... to let this guy down as gently as possible, as nice as possible.

The one story I have of Jenna is her barracks inspection on Monday went well. Her staff Sgt used guess who's bunk as an example to follow? Yup, Jenna's. "See this bunk? That's how I want to see everyone's bunk to look like." Do you think she was everyone's favorite? Not. Besides their bunk NOT passing inspection, Jenna's was used for an example and now she is liked by the staff. You know how teenage girls are. I wonder how I can get her to do her bunk like that at home? Maybe I should do an inspection every week between the two of them...hmmm have to put some thought into that one. hee, hee, hee.

So until the next phone call and the next story, I will end it with that! I know Jenna will be shooting C7's at the end of this week or the beginning of the next week. I am sure I'll have some stories about that! And Rachel gets to take the kids out in the bush for three days. Ha, ha, ha! Should be interesting. So until next time, bye for now!!!

"Everyday Life in Vernon"

2007-07-04T23:12:00.000-07:00

I finally got my call from Rachel just after midnight tonight. Just as I suspected she has been running like crazy trying to get ready for about 600- 700 kids coming in starting on Friday. She is working in the company called Foxtrot and she will have 3 intakes of cadets that stay for only 2 weeks at a time. I think she is pretty excited because she likes working with this age group the best.

She is up by about 6am, has breakfast and her day is in full swing. She told me that she spent 6 hours doing lesson plans yesterday and she got 99% on her drill mutual today. That is her strength, just like shooting is Jenna's. Cleaning out barracks and just everything that goes along with running a camp of that size is overwhelming to me. She said she will find out tomorrow what rank she is for the entire 6 weeks. She is garanteed a sgt because that is what she is now, but she could get promoted to warrant for the summer. We will wait and see!

More later.

"Almost Empty Nest"

2007-07-04T07:35:00.000-07:00

Well, come Friday and I will have an empty nest for 6 weeks when I ship Jenna off to Vernon to join Rachel. The girls will be there for the summer again with Army Cadets taking a summer training course. Rachel is staffing it so she will be doing the teaching and getting paid while Jenna is taking a 6 week rifle coach course. She gets to spend 6 weeks shooting air rifles and teaching young cadets how to shoot air rifles for six weeks. She will also get to shoot C7's this summer which are equivelent to M16's. Big guns. When she is done her 6 week course, she comes home and basically trains the cadets back home here how to shoot air rifles for the corps and for any new recruits trying out for the range team which she is apart of.

I find it isn't as hard to let go this year. I've been through this, I can do this. They are a year older. I'm okay. Then why do I worry when I haven't heard from Rachel in two days? Stupid isn't it? She went up a week ahead of all other cadets to prepare for intake. I know they are busy, I know they are extra busy because they are short staffed this year. So my kid doesn't call for 2 days, big deal? It is a big deal! I want to hear it in her voice that she is okay. I am and still always be MOM. Do I call the cops? You feel like it even though you know nothing is wrong. But you just want to make sure. I know I have to let go, but it sure is hard and when I can't see her and when I can't hear it in her voice that she is okay, I worry. She is still my baby.

This letting go and cutting the apron strings isn't what it's all cracked up to be. It just plain sucks.

So to all of you who have told me you haven't heard form me in awhile, here is overload. I should be able to do more this summer with no kids around and a husband who goes to bed at like 9pm to get up with the birds! So, I should be outblogging everyone for the next 6 weeks. Lookout Julie!! Maybe with luck, I'll have some more hillarious stories from camp to share with you this year. Knowing Rachel, I'm sure there will be something, if not wild boar than her tales of curbing the attempts of 12 years olds trying to prove how cool they are by seeing if they can sneak out of their tent without getting caught! Can't wait to hear the stories.

"Hair Do's & Don'ts"

2007-07-03T17:52:00.000-07:00

So, I wanted to do a fun page of Rachel getting her "3 feet" of hair done because everyone, and I mean everyone, asked about it. From the time it took, how many rollers, to the amount of hairspray, and "did it stay in all day"? Melissa is truly amazing when it comes to doing hair! When she called me earlier that morning and asked me "Auntie, do you have elastics to hold the rollers in because the clips won't hold Rachel's thick hair" I went on the hunt. It's amazing what you can find in your kids drawers and how many elastics they "don't have" when you actually look for them. I needed 49 and I had extra! I also know when Rachel looks at this page 10 years from now, she will remember that day, and the huge part her cousin had in making her feel really beautiful that night when she had so many people compliment her and ask her what salon did her hair. After all ladies, isn't this what scrapbooking is all about?

2007-07-03T15:23:00.000-07:00

"Beautiful"

2007-06-22T11:18:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite pictures that Denise took of Rachel. I wanted to keep it simple and focus on the photo. Typical, notice what I used? Rub ons, chipboard and some bling. I am having difficulty though, maybe you guys can help me. Honestly, how many ways can you use the word "beautiful" when you are doing a book on grad? You need that one adjective for a picture and I've already used it a couple of times... I need some help here. I only have about 25 more pages to go, minimum, to finish her book. I leave it in your hands. :-)

"FTX Fun"

2007-06-13T12:54:00.000-07:00

It was hard doing this page because Shannon had taken so many good pictures I wanted to use all of them! This was the first FTX the corps had where they had pictures like this. He truly did capture the spirit of the kids in this corps.

This FTX was kind of extra special because Shannon was a civilian instructor for the army cadet corps so he went along to the Dundurn base. The girls are used to his quiet antics but the other kids and officers are still getting to know him and his quiet sense of humor. He took along "cyclops", his 15 million candle power flashlight. Some of the officers and the RSM had more fun with it than he did.

All in all the girls had a great weekend with their dad, minus the wicked storm and an hour away from evacuating everyone. They came home burnt, tired, dirty and ready for a shower!

2007-06-04T11:41:00.000-07:00

"Almost Tagged by Kelly"

2007-05-08T08:28:00.000-07:00

Well, Kelly didn't think I would have time for "tag", but I have been thinking about it and so I'll play along. Here are seven random facts about me. Not in order of importance.

1). I am a nighthawk. I rarely get to bed before midnight-one oclock in the morning. I think this started way back when I homeschooled my girls and that was my only me time, when everyone was in bed for the night. I would sit and read...I love reading, start a good book and I cannot put it down.

2). I homeschooled my girls Rachel for 9 years, and Jenna for 8 years. And I would do it all over again in a flash. Especially now when Rachel is about to embark on adulthhood, I will forever cherish all those years we had every day together. It's funny how the brain and memory erases most of the "rough" days (and there were plenty, believe me) and right now, I only remember the good ones.

3). I have been married to the same wonderful man for 23 years. Highschool sweethearts. Quircky sense of humor that has me rolling on the floor laughing, I think sometimes it is just our family that gets the humor, too. And that's okay.

4). Love Tim Horton's coffee, ice capps, engish toffee capps. They better not ever close their doors, they are not allowed to. I need Tim's!

5). I love my Savior. He changed my life. He is what makes my girls shine. He is awesome.

6). Of course it goes without saying, I love scrapbooking. It is my only hobby that I can sit down with a headache and my headache can go away. It is therapeutic for me.

7). I love my friends, am loyal and love being with people. I am NOT a loner. The more the merrier. In case you haven't noticed. lol

It's hard to stop at seven! I love to laugh. Nothing chases the blues away faster than a great time of laughing. I am usually laughing at myself...because I am usually doing something dorky.

So Kelly, I was a little late in responding, but I did it. I feel like I am finally catching up on a few things like even sleep!

"The Day Has Arrived"

2007-05-07T08:52:00.000-07:00

An accumulation of dreams, goals and hard work has brought us to this day. Every girl dreams of their highschool graduation. Next to their wedding day, this is their most important day. Where have the years gone? It was just yesterday (so it seemed) that I was up every night rocking my colicky newborn, and now here she is ready for her senior "prom". You know it's funny, the day was so busy with getting ready, doing last minute things, (sewing part of her dress. I'm not joking, either... just a small seam.) company, hair...hair...hair...and more hair, that I didn't have time to let the emotions out. I find as I am typing now, the emotions are happening. She was glowing on Saturday and I will have many pictures and layouts to do as Denise took over 200 pictures, most of which turned out.

Okay everyone, here is a full length shot of Rachel's dress. It's not a close up, but it's all I have right now for a full length. There will be more later. Those "pickle stabber" shoes were cute and Denise got a picture of those. They have gathers on them kinda like her dress.

2007-05-07T08:46:00.000-07:00

Taking a look a this picture, I guess I can see why people get Rachel and Jenna mixed up. They look remarkably alike. I always got a chuckle when someone would ask if my girls were twins. But I guess I can see why here. This is my favorite picture that we took of them.
You know it's funny, as a scrapbooker, I had to make sure that the immediate family had co-ordinating clothes because I didn't want the headache of trying to scrapbook a page with six different colors going on. Admit it, we all do it!

Okay, here is a rare picture of Rachel and her dad. The resemblance is...well, lets just say she doesn't look much like me. I absolutely love this picture. If you ever notice the glint in Rachel's eye (and if you look close in this picture it is there) she truly get's it from her dad. She has Shannon's corny sense of humor, practical joker, quiet until you know her side, loyal, and goal oriented. She truly is her father's daughter. And I love her and them to pieces!!!! I homeschooled both of my girls for nine and eight years before sending them off to public school. She had major adjustments. Rachel not only had to adjust to public school, but to high school. She was also enrolled in the advanced program at Walter Murray. She will complete grade 12 in June and has been accepted to SBC in the Legal Admin. Assist. Prog. She still has dreams to get her commercial pilots licence, which we all know is very costly. I have always encouraged my girls to dream and encourged their dreams, and I have no doubt that whatever Rachel sets her mind to do, with God's help, she will accomplish it. So, Yes I am very proud of Rachel and her accomplishments!!

"Life is Crazy!"

2007-04-27T22:00:00.000-07:00

I figured I had better update as it has been a few crazy weeks since the last post. As most of you know I am trying to finish a grad dress, work almost full time and lead a somewhat "normal" life. The dress is coming along...with a few minor meltdowns, but we will win! I am a visual learner and I am finding it somwhat challenging to sew this dress without any written instructions, therefore I have to have everything figured out in my head BEFORE I sew the next step. All will be fine I know and a great learning curve for me. I figured instead of uploading pictures of me cutting the pattern out, since the grad is only one week away and you have been so patient up to this point, I would just post a picture of her in her dress. Okay? The finished product will look much, much better anyway (I hope :-)

Tonight was the first night of our Aloha Spring Fling. What a blast we are having! My girls stopped in after my shift was over and I was about to go home with them, when I noticed that Wilna Furstenburg had stopped in. I am always excited to see her, as she is one of the most inspiring, genuine ladies I have ever had the pleasure to meet. I was so happy to be able to introduce her to Rachel and Jenna, when Wilna turned to me with disbelief on her face and said, "You have girls this old?" To which I replied, "Yes, and Rachel is actually graduating next weekend." She then gave one of the best compliments anyone has ever given me when she told me that she thought "you were in your twenties!" To which I promptly threw my arms around her and almost broke her ribs and told her I loved her for life and she was my best friend! She has this way of making you feel like a million dollars! So Wilna, if you read this post, thank you tonight for that compliment!

I had another thing happen earlier this week that I know everyone who knows me wouldn't be surprised and will laugh with me. We had a new customer in the store browsing for a while when she came up to the counter to look at the ribbon. Sharon was teaching a class and it was quite busy and I was alone. (It was in the evening) As we often do when a customer wants to look at ribbon we ask them to come behind the counter. Well, as I was running low on sleep this week, and running in the store, I kinda got my words a little twisted. I was going to ask her if she wanted to take a look and a peek all at the same time and I ended up asking her "If she wanted to come behind the counter to take a leak." Well needless to say I couldn't stop laughing. That was my biggest faux pas in retail history. She has a great sense of humor and has been in the store three times this week, so I have not scared her away. I of course told all my friends and kids because I am a firm believer in laughing at yourself...life is too short. So I hope I made someone laugh because it sure made me and many of my friends and family laugh for days after!

Thank you guys for being patient and faithful and I will have many pages done AFTER grad. You guys have a great weekend and we'll see some of you at the store and if not, we'll see you on the blog! Lord Bless!!!

Update on My Life

2007-04-13T20:32:00.000-07:00

Okay. I have received several comments lately on my lack of recent updates on my blog. So I figured I would give you an update on my hectic life.

I have started on the illustrious grad dress. You know that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach when you cut into your fabric and you have made a wrong cut? Or you think you made a wrong cut and you are just sick? That happened the other night...and my husband Shannon was sitting right there on the couch and I had to pretend that I knew what I was doingand nothing was wrong. Let me tell you, that was not easy. He is the one who would play the part of Chicken Little in the play...you know, "the sky is falling" thingy. So I had to stop cutting until I found out exactly what piece was what (long story) but it all worked out and I didn't have to buy too much more fabric. So, I will get Rachel to take some pictures of me making this dress in progress since I haven't had time to scrapbook at home and work has been crazy busy these last three weeks. So, I don't think there will be any new pages from me until after I am done this grad dress and Rachel's prom is done at the beginning of May. So, if you can be patient a little longer, I'll post pictures until I can post new pages!

Until then, thanks for being faithful and checking on my blog and I'll see a bunch of you in the store!

Getting Ready For Grad

2007-04-03T23:42:00.000-07:00

Tonight I finished the mock up of Rachel's grad dress that I am making for her. As she put the bodice on and I pinned the back together, a wave of nostalgia swept over me. Many of you locals already know the lengths I have gone to to find a pattern for her dress, so this one seems a little extra special to me. When I realized there wasn't going to be that much to change (very little in fact), I was elated! Mylyhn is amazing! Where has time gone? Years have sped by and now Rachel is graduating. This, of course isn't anything new to the human race or motherhood...just me! You begin to relive all her firsts, all her accomplishments, all her growths, her mistakes. I have also been reflecting on my role as a mother and wondering if I did enough...did I make the right decision in that particular situation? Time will tell. I am feeling rather vulnerable, somewhat human I guess. I look back and see all my mistakes also and realize that the grace of God really did step in. Where I fell short, He made up the difference. I am thankful that I don't have to face the "empty nest" syndrome right now. She plans on going to school right here in Saskatoon. One less thing to face right now.

So, if I get a chance to do the April challenge, it will reflect somewhat along on these lines. About the changes on the horizon in my life. Me don't like big changes!

First and latest

2007-04-02T13:59:00.000-07:00

Okay, so here is one of my first pages I ever scrapbooked. Pretty "scary". Actually, we had a good chuckle today at the store. But in all self defence, I had never taken a Basics class. Had to have every one of those decorative scissors. At least I used the" bat cut" edge around my pictures. I was being consistant. lol Anyway, everyone is welcome to comment on it, I think I get the prize for sticker sneezing. I even put one on the tombstone!

Now this page I finished last night. When you look at these two pages, it makes me realize that I have grown and I am creative. I do have to work at it, I may not be as natural at it as some but the creativity is there. Just giving myself a self-confidence boost. Anyone who knows me well knows I am my worst critic. This page came together yesterday so easy and I did not scraplift any of it. For me, that is big. It is one of my pages that I am totally pleased with.

"I Smile..."

2007-04-01T15:31:00.000-07:00

I had to find a way to use this quote in my sister's wedding scrapbook. We had so much fun getting even with her...mean sisters that we were. She had that total horrified look on her face when she saw us walk to the mike. It was so worth it!! Even though the pictures aren't the best quality, you can still dress them up a bit and make your layout look just fine using rub-ons, a little bling and a bit of patterned paper.

This was our February challenge that Pam brought to the staff.

I never thought I would become an "adoptive parent". But it seems like my girls friends have dubbed me "Mamma P", and it has stuck. I kinda like it when I walk into the armouries and some of the kids holler out "Hi, Mamma P!" I really enjoy working with these teenagers, they are a great bunch of cadets trying to do something with their lives. They could be spending it getting into trouble or wasting it in front of a television or computer games, instead, they are doing something productive that will help them in their adult years. A little rub-on corner flourish, chipboard title and heart, no bling ( kind of hard with a cadet theme), ribbon and back to basic patterned paper and cardstock. Again, the hardest thing for me was finding a picture of myself!!! Ididn't have a current one, so Sharon was kind enough to take one of me.

"Scrappers & Fighters"

2007-03-30T12:45:00.000-07:00

These photos were so much fun scrapbooking! It was right after school was out and the army cadet kids were ready to head off to their many different summer training camp destinations. This was their final get together that Rachel planned...until Shannon and I took over and added to the Photo Scavenger Hunt! Those kids did not know what they were getting themselves into. To make a long story short, they had to collect various photos of objects and people with at least one person of each team in the photo. They had to be creative, and they were timed. We also pitted the guys against the girls...what better fun that to do a battle of the sexes! Their last photo and the one worth the most points was the two in this layout. I made the guys come to the croproom and get their picture taken with a room full of women (who knew ahead of time that they were coming), and I told the women to not make it to easy for them. Ha! Ha! They were pretty good sports about all of it. I then sent the girls to any fire station in the city and they had to get their picture taken with the firefighters. The more people, the more points. If they had a firetruck, more points. The losers had to buy the winners pizza. The girls ended up home here first and I think they won, but of course, my husband thinks the guys won, so we ended up buying the pizza that night. But they had a blast anyway! Hence the pun on the title, which Dawn came up with "Scrappers & Fighters". The page just has patterned paper, distress ink, biggie brads and of course Jolee's camera and fire engine. Look! No chipboard! I did use rub-ons though.

Sisters

2007-03-15T14:11:00.000-07:00

This photo was taken just before Christmas 2006. Notice the chipboard, and bling? Didn't use the rub-ons though. Gotta love Basic Grey!

Chatterbox anyone? When I got this picture developed, I knew right away what paper I was going to use. Notice my three favorites on this page? I even did another favorite of mine...hidden jounaling. It's great to use on a page to save space, and it can also hide jounaling you don't want just everyone to read. As soon as Rachel get's the journaling done for this page, it will be complete!

One of our CI's took this candid photograph of PE & RT as they were waiting for Adventure Platoon to march past on their return from one of their many FTX's. This is one of my most favorite candid's of Rachel and I love what this photo stands for. They would run and grab their big alphabet and stand by the road when a company would come back from the field to welcome them home. The cadets are hot, tired, dirty, stinky, but what a nice feeling to hear fellow cadets clapping and cheering when you come marching back on base.

I have been big into journaling lately. I don't know if I will ever get caught up on the girls scrapbooks, so I have decided to take my time and concentrate on recording their achievements through their teenage years. I think is is also extremely important to let them know how I felt about their achievements, so my focus has been more on that than trying to play catch up. That will never happen! I used our 2" Roman Lowercase alphabet fonts at JSI, diecut them out of chipboard and cardstock for the word "achieve".

"Love"

2007-03-15T13:52:00.000-07:00

Here is my March Staff Challenge page using the Technique Tuesday chipboard. This is amazing product! It is so easy to ink or distress! Of course, with models like that, you can just about use anything on the page and it would look good! lol You know, I have tried to not use my favorite products on everything, and I feel like the page just isn't complete. That's what so great about chipboard...there is enough out there to find just what you are looking for to complete your page. I have a few more pictures of Laura and Mikheal's wedding to scrapbook, so please keep checking back!

First Post

2007-03-07T11:46:00.000-08:00

These layouts are from the Album I've done for my sister Lana's wedding.

The first is of my neice Hannah, the flower girl. I love working with multiple paper patterns.
The bling words are so versatile. Here's a little hint: I took "Hannakkah" and made the name
"Hannah" out of it! You will very seldom find a layout of mine that doesn't have either chipboard, rub-ons or bling! I don't think I can do it! Those are my three weaknesses...just those three. :-)

Do you ever have the dilema of "12" of almost the same pictures but because it is a special occasion, you feel you should use them? Or maybe you don't want six pages of the same kind of layouts...here is a solution. Not every layout has to have only one or two pictures. It is okay to put more than one photo on a page, and save those single photo layouts for the extra special shots!