Measured Doses

40 and Fabulous...

2011-12-05T16:25:00.002-07:00

Well my fourtieth birthday came and went in a wave of excitement and high energy. Lots of love from my favourite people, near and far...friends and family...it was fab-u-lous, Darling!!!

I'm hoping for a great year ahead...a year of happiness and good health not just for me, but for everyone I love so much in this world.

To end, here's a quote from one of the lovely women who grace the message boards at The Paper Passion

"Laugh when you can. Apologize when you should. And let go of what you can’t change."---unknown

...5 months later

2011-11-13T16:55:00.001-07:00

well that took a while, didn't it?

We really had a great Summer and Fall this year. We have been living in Edmonton for just over a year, and I think we've all finally adjusted to city living. We spent most of our summer exploring the ravine that runs behind our home...long walking and biking trails, and a bit of wildlife.

We're fortunate to have this greenery so close to us, and we've been taking full advantage of it. Lately I've taken up "running", and I say it like that..."running" just because what I'm actually doing may be debatable. I like to think it's running, but it's more a combination of walking, a slight jog, heavy panting, trying to find my pulse ('cause that's what I see real runners do at times), and then more of the same all over again.
I swear the other day, a couple of French Bulldogs stopped on the side of the trail and started laughing at me!

Speaking of dogs, we've been thinking of getting one. Negotiations over a family per have been ongoing for the past 3-5 years. I've been very resistant because...well...four kids, you do the math, okay?

Now that I've got three kids in school full-time and Eilam (the youngest) in Playschool 2 hours a day, 4 days a week, I'm starting to see the end of the tunnel. So we've recently re-visited the family dog talk.
We've met with an awsome breeder, and we're presently negotiating the important stuff (like who's gonna pick up the poop).

I'll keep you updated on that...

I'll stop now, 'cause I know you, dear reader, may need time to recover from the shock of reading a new post on here. But I'll be back...soon...ish...sorta...

Have a wonderful week.

P.S I'll be prepping for my upcoming 40th birthday (and by prepping I mean reminding everyone I know)

So you're going to want to mark that down in your calender, 30 November ;)

Time Flies

2011-06-05T20:48:00.007-06:00

When you're busy, and having fun :) The past 7 weeks have been crazy busy and awsome, all rolled up together.

The Paper Passion has grown wings, and business has been steady. I've had the opportunity to meet many online friends in person, and make new friends via the store. I've been lucky and blessed to have so many warm and positive new people come into my life...thank you to all of you who are reading this.

The kiddos have been busy with the usual school stuff as the academic year draws to an end, and Ara and Cai recently had their first Karate grading, and came through with flying colours:

Taken at home before the grading exam

Both Rea and Ara coded for Gifted and Talented again, and will be going on to the Challenge programs at their schools. I'm so proud of my girlies :)

The snow is G-O-N-E.

Finally! And there's been a lot of this going on:

Yes, he's wearing Ara's old helmet...he's mad for "My Little Pony" right this minute

A few weeks ago, I also went to Las Vegas for the first time. I was apprehensive since I'm neither a big drinker or gambler, but Vegas was awsome! I loved it, and my one big regret was that Hubby wasn't there to share in it. He was actually home with the kids while I had some girl-time away (my first trip without him or the kids!)
The shopping...well...I'll need a whole entire post just to address that ;)

even Mario agrees

And on that note, I have to scoot :)
Hope ya'll are all great, and enjoying some sunshine.

"The Paper Passion"

2011-04-13T12:15:00.001-06:00

It's been a long time coming, but The Paper Passion is finally open for business. If you have followed my blog, then you will know that I purchased the store last summer, moved house, experienced a number of issues related to moving, new schools for the children, had Hubby set up his own practice, dealt with family health issues and travels out of the country as a result...and so on.

I also switched Web Management a few times, until I got lucky the third time and found someone who understood my vision, and set out with great gusto to make it a reality (thank you, Michelle :))

And at the end of it all I can say with complete and utter conviction, the site is now exactly what I wanted. I love the ease of use of the shopping cart (I tested 4 different types of carts before settling on the one I have), I love the prettyness of the logo and colours, I love how well everyone has responded it it...Thank You!!!

My biggest problem now though, is staying away from my creation station (fancy word for desk..hee), so that I can upload product and do the business stuff...oh, but to be surrounded by all this gorgeous stuff! (like being a kid in a candy store)...total shiny-ball syndrome ("...and you remember that time we...hey! look shiny ball...shiny ball!")

Back to the grindstone..have a good day, ya'll :)
Don't forget to Check out the Store today.

May the luck of the Irish be with you...

2011-03-17T21:30:00.001-06:00

St.Patricks Day is here (almost over actually). All four kids wore green today, and Ara and Cai were thrilled to find the leprechaun's footprints all over their classroom.

Rea was more subdued, but she's a good sport and played along :) It's amazing to watch how she changes as she grows. These pre-teen years are quite something...everybody tried to prepare me for them, but there's nothing like living it.All-in-all she really is a good girl (except when the hormones drive her crazy).

Cai is very into a mathematics and early computer programming website. We're lucky to have them all in great schools where the resources allow them to do stuff like this. He spends as much time as I will allow him (usually about 30 minutes at a time) attempting mazes and puzzles on the computer. (Note how he couldn't look away once for the pic...and he does look a lot like Bruno Mars here, no?)

Little Ms. Ara, ladylike from the top of her little green bowler to the tips of her stockinged feet. This year was a learning year for her. She encountered some of life's harsh realities for the first time, and came through with flying colours...she is confident in who she is, and in what she is capable of doing. She has gotten comfortable with the specific aspects of being in a program for gifted and talented kids at school, and she is running with it...good stuff!

And then there's Eilam. Three years old...with a vocabulary to rival mine on a good day...and not even remotely interested in being potty trained!
I'm almost giving up here. We've tried everything...everything...threats, bribes, cajoling..."mummy's gonna run away from home if you don't potty"...everything.
And he won't budge.
Any tips???

So that's our St. Paddy's day in pics, with a commentary on where each of my lovelies is right now. I was hoping to get a pic of myself being green in here, but there wasn't a photog in sight when I stepped off the treadmill (and I really was green in the face...hee).

Okay...have a great weekend ya'll~!

Photoshoot

2011-03-12T16:50:00.002-07:00

...and you'll be happy to know I was behind the lens ;)

So, Oshean's uncle has the most amazing South African restaurant, here in Edmonton. He's recently thought about getting the restaurant on the internet, and needed some photographs taken.

Enter moi!

With the four munchkins in tow, I headed off yesterday to grab a few shots before the supper rush began. It was a different experience having to photograph inanimate objects, interesting though...and taste-bud-crazy-driving!

Yums, right?

(Thank you to my online, Facebook, scrapper, photog buddy Kelli for the food-shooting tips :))

Finding my way...

2011-03-08T18:57:00.000-07:00

in the concrete jungle has been a trial through fire (of sorts).

After enjoying the graciousness of small town living for the past 9.5 years, the last few months in the big City have certainly been a jolt to my system.

But slowly I am finding my feet and getting to grip with how things are done here. I'm learning that to live here one has to be prepared to spend many many hours on the road; driving to and from schools, grocery shopping, entertainment for the littles, entertainment for the bigs and so forth.

I am finding that making friends is easier than I thought, but finding the time to grab a coffee with a new friend takes some kind of Herculian effort. Things are busy here.
But I'm coming around.

For the past two weeks, I've been burning the midnight oil in trying to get my online business, "The Paper Passion", up and running. I'm close to the end now, and things are shaping up exactly the way I hoped they would :)
So, check back in the next couple weeks for an opening announcement, or join our Facebook group for updates.
I have to thank everyone, the old customers, the potential new customers, friends...everyone, who's been so patient while I dealt with moving house, switching schools, family health matters, website issues and the such over the past few months. It's been a long time coming but I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel...

And now for something scrappy :)

created by request for Ms Becky Fleck's March 2011 Cardmaps

Have you Heard?

2011-02-21T17:20:00.001-07:00

Eilam, getting jiggy with it

I have a new playlist on my blog.

So, turn up those speakers and enjoy!

P.S I've been so out of it with music (and books...and movies...and...), so if you heard something that makes you just swoon, please share :)

Have a lovely week!

"Honey, does the roast chicken make my butt look big?"

2011-02-12T16:35:00.001-07:00

Thursday nights dinner

"No...but the rosemary potatoes do."

Yup...loaded...and I mean L-O-A-D-E-D with heavy cream, butter, cream cheese, parmesan, and other stuff that will make your arteries weep.

But so good.
The kinda good that's so bad.
You know what I'm talking about...

And so I've resigned myself to spending the rest of eternity on the treadmill...
Well eternity in so far as the next bad-boy pops up on the dinner table ;)

And how's your week been?

This is for the Scrappers...

2011-02-08T13:40:00.004-07:00

Sometime in January I was offered the opportunity to scrapbook (after, give-or-take, almost a year!)

Ms. Anam who developed the fantastic Sketches to Scrapbook Application for iTunes (yes, that iTunes, my china...not too bad, eh?)) sent me a page sketch, and 2 card sketches to play with.

It was great to reconnect with my paper and glue after such a long time.
It was cathartic...
...and fun!

Here's one of my cards, using some Graphic 45 lovliness:

If you want to check out the free version, go here: FREE VERSION

You can also get the original "Sketches to Scrapbook" here: Original S2S

And thats my PSA for scrapbookers :)

Have a great week, ya'll!

15 Years

2011-01-31T21:47:00.002-07:00

Oshean and I were married.

(Christmas Day 2010)

It was a leap year.
He was in Med School. I was in my first year of clerking for a Law firm.
We'd been together almost 4 years (give or take a break-up here and there...)

One evening, mid January, I said "Hey, it's a leap year. Would you like to marry me?"
He said, "Sure...why not" (he's romantic like that)

We decided the end of the month (since it would be an easy date to remember...practical if nothing else, that's us).

Two weeks later, we were legally married in a courthouse, with a judge and our two witnesses.

A year later we had the big wedding (as always envisioned by our parents)...with all the bells and whistles
...but that's a different post.

Happy Anniversary, Osh.
Here's to another great 15 years.

Skype me, 'kay?

2011-01-24T14:20:00.005-07:00

I may be the last person on earth to do it... (uummmnnn...my Dad had it before I did )
But I finally got Skype

Speaking of my Dad, our first Skype convo went like this:

him: can you see me
me : yeah I can see you
him: you're not moving
me : well, I'm tired
him: hello? hello?
me : yes, hi Dad
him: can you hear me?
me : yeah I hear you fine
him: can you still see me
me : yup...
him: but I can't see you
me : trust me, it's for the best...
him: hello? hello?
.....
.....
.....
(repeat for the next 20 minutes)

Of course the kids are enjoying it tons...
Seeing family in South Africa, and other parts...

And doing uber-cool stuff like this:

Yeah, we rock ;)

Happy 2011

2011-01-19T16:05:00.004-07:00

So I'm a few days late, but the sentiment is heartfelt ;)

We've been B-U-S-Y for the past few months.
We moved house; changed schools for the kids 3 times while in Edmonton; Hubby and his partner set up the first of their medical practices; and we've been dealing with some devastating family health issues.

Remember the store I purchased?
Well, due to everything we've had going on, and with hubby making a few trips to South Africa within the past couple months, while I played single parent in the crazy city, I've decided to put the opening on hold...temporarily.

Once we are able, as a family, to collectively catch our breath, I have every intention of seeing the opening of the store through.
Bear with me, please.

On a lighter, whiter and colder note, we've been gobsmacked with some crazy weather...

random yard service person

Of course, I had to try my hand at shovelling too (but only after I heard it may make me skinny...ha-ha-ha)...

I'll stick to the treadmill for now...thanks!

And with that, I'm off for now.
I'm hoping everyone has a healthy and happy 2011.
Personally, I'm going to try hard to keep up my blog...because when I read through it a few weeks ago, some of the older pics and memories made me smile.
And that's something, no?

7 years and 2 days ago...

2010-07-22T17:17:00.002-06:00

Someone small, and pink entered our lives...

After 4.5 years, our family of three welcomed Ara into our hearts, and into our lives. This picture was taken when she was not quite an hour old.
Little did we know that the stage was being set for the "Girly Girly Girly" show...

Ara is the ultimate girl. Her world is pink, sparkly, feathery, glittery, soft and...PINK.
She is sweet and gentle, generous and head-strong, sensitive and affectionate.
She is perfect.

Happy (belated on Mum's blog) 7th birthday, sweet Ara....only good things are coming your way :)

Here it is!

2010-07-15T07:49:00.003-06:00

Okay, I finally managed to wade through lines and lines of HTML coed and the like, and got something up on the front page of MY *cough cough* new site...Yipppeee!!!

I was hoping to get something up there before I put the word out, but the guy who handles the website has been unable to attend to it, so this morning, at the crack of dawn, I sat at my PC and enveloped myself in all things computer geeky...

What do you think?
CLICK HERE

2010-07-14T15:48:00.002-06:00

The past week and a half has been a blur of appointments, phonecalls, e-mails and more appointments... All-in-all, good things are on the way.
Exciting things.
I just need a wee bit-'o-time to tie up a few loose ends.
And all will be revealed.

Dude, how mysterious am I??!!

A by-product of the new development is that I have had to step down from the "Upsy Daisy" Design Team, both as team co-ordinator, as well as Designer.

It's been a bittersweet experience, as I've been a Daisy girl for over 3.5 years, and I truly love the product and all the wonderful people in it.

But it was a necessary decision in order for me to concentrate my efforts in the new direction.
Not forgetting the packing up and getting ready to move we have going on...

As well as trying to get the little people outdoors when it's not raining (what's up with all this rain, btw?)

setting up for some Badminton

Thank you FIFA...everyone in our house now wants to play in the next World Cup...

We just need to work on our focus....a little bit

"Upsy Daisy Designs" New Lines

2010-06-28T16:08:00.001-06:00

CHA Summer 2010 is but a few weeks away and Manufacturers have started the slow tease :)

"Upsy Daisy Designs" is not disappointing their fans, and their two new lines are sure to be a hit with everyone.

So, without further ado, here are "Avalanche" and "Home Sweet Home"...

So, do you have a favourite?

2010-06-15T20:40:00.003-06:00

My Dad left today, after spending almost 4 weeks with us.
The past few days have been sad for all of us as we dreaded the dawning of today.

But today came and went, and at this moment he is on his way to London...

This must have been the best few days I remember spending with my father, as an adult.
I'm going to miss him so much.

Through the past 10 years we have certainly had our ups and downs.
But the last 4 weeks have shown me that those parent/child bonds never lose their strength for even a second...

I love you, Dad.
(yes, that's me acting all macho-girly in the snow...and getting wet at it.My Dad was asking "Now, what's wrong with you? You're gonna get a cold"...oh yeah, and don't forget my awsome posture...I look like I'm pregnant...with a pod of Killer Whales...)

Getting Close...

2010-06-08T17:07:00.001-06:00

"Casa del Naidoo" is almost finished.

And it's looking goooooood!

We popped in there last week for a qick peek and the cabinet guy was busy doing his thing. The kitchen is looking awsome...wanna guess what's my favourite part?...*hic hic*

...and part of the main en-suite...please check out the saweet walk-in-closet (Carrie Bradshaw, take a hike, sistah!)

On the family front, we've been enjoying our time with my Dad.The time has flown, and he'll be leaving next Tuesday...lots of great memories, and even more pics that I'll share later on...

For now I gotta say Ciao baby...and have a great week!

Mixing it up...

2010-05-28T21:07:00.002-06:00

..."Upsy Daisy" style...

This month, one of our Design Team challenges at "Upsy Daisy Designs" was to mix up as many lines as we wanted to...

This is what I came up with when I mixed "Vogue" with some "Blossom", added a dash of "See ya Later Alligator" and topped it off with a few splashes of "A New Day"...

These days we're all soaking up some family time with my Dad.
It's great having him here...

Happy weekend ya'll :)

Awsome-ness!

2010-05-22T21:27:00.003-06:00

It's been a "Ben & Jerry" kinda week...

2010-05-15T19:43:00.001-06:00

First Rea got sick...very sick...lots of awful stomach pains.
And she's not a complainer at all.
So it was so scary when she couldn't sit, stand or even lie down without howling in pain.
After many hours of trying out different pain killers at home, she ended up in the emergency room for some IV pain killers...

That helped a lot, and the next day she had an ultrasound to see what the culprit was.
Nothing turned up and her bloodwork was fine, and she's been good ever since.
Fingers crossed that whatever it was stays away...FOR GOOD!

Then, this happened:

I can't say too much there 'cause it's all car-ish and techie geek stuff...but it ain't right!
Tha's all...

But the weather was good, and the littlest men in my life took me to the park that afternoon...and the week that started out not-so-great ended up smiley and happy :)

Hope your weekend is going swell...

"Whoah Baby!!"

2010-05-10T11:01:00.000-06:00

These photos just crack me up...
I remember this day so clearly...
But I can't remember the year...go figure!

I used Noel Migon's "Playdate" kit once more :)

Have a wonderful Monday :):):)

Sharing a Pic...

2010-05-08T15:48:00.001-06:00

Last weekend, friends of ours had a party for their son who was turning 5.

I carried along my camera and this was one of the mooments I managed to capture.

(Cai, the birthday boy, and Ara)

Thanks for letting me share :)

I hope all of you have a wonderful Mother's Day tomorrow...

...and now for some sunshine...

2010-05-07T17:23:00.001-06:00

brought to you by Noel Mignon.

This is her May kit.
It's called "Playdate"...and it just screams fun, no?

To tell the truth, this lovely kit sat on my table for a while.
It sat silently, while I fondled it...relentlessly...
Every day.
I couldn't bring myself to disturb the utter prettiness of it.
You scrapbookers will know what I mean. *wink*

Today, my 2 year old opened it up, to get to the lollipop. (Yes, Noel throws in lollipops and stuff...she's cool like that)...
Anyway, after the security on my kit was breached (I watch Law and Order, ya'll), and I managed to calm down, I put paper to trimmer, and the above page was born :)

The picture was yet another from our glorious South African holiday last summer...*sigh*

House Update

2010-05-06T11:36:00.002-06:00

Our new home construction is moving along at warp speed.
Here are a few pics: (taken 23 April 2010)

The view that first greets us as we drive up to it :)

We decided to go for a complete tiled outside...and tinted windows to match:

A close-up of the tile...the colour is called "Belgian"..."Yum!" ,right?

and the backyard...not huge, but big enough.We're thinking of going with slate tiles and NO grass at all...

Part of the floating staircase.This is in now and looks gorgeous.Starts at the top of the stairs on the top floor, winds down to the main level, and then takes off to the basement.Fingers crossed none of the little people fall though the gaps...

We'll see it again next week.The inside doors are in, painting is done, and final finishes going in...not much longer now!!!

I'm off to scrapbook now...2 days in a row!!!
Have a great Thursday ya'll...

Happy Birthday Dad!

2010-05-05T15:24:00.007-06:00

May 3rd was my Dad's 63rd birthday.
We missed seeing him...but he'll be here in 2 weeks!

Yay!!!

I took this picture of him last July, in South Africa.

Other than that, I am almost back to full speed following my surgery. In fact I started excercising again this week :)

I even scrapbooked a page today.I'm really loving the "Blossom" line from "Upsy Daisy"...so girly and soft and pretty...

(based on a Kim Sonksin sketch for Upsy Daisy Designs)

And with that, i'm off to do chauffeur duties :)

Vogue...

2010-04-19T20:26:00.000-06:00

...is the name of a paper line from "Upsy Daisy Designs", and it was perfect for this baby shot of Eilam.

Perfect because it wasn't too baby-ish...
Perfect because of the gorgeous graphic print...

and Perfect because the scraps made for a pretty cool card :)

So, how's your week going so far?

Rise and Shine...

2010-04-14T19:38:00.000-06:00

...couldn't you just drown in those big, gorgeous eyes?

That's my Cai, when he was just a wee thing...
And this is the "Rise and Shine" kit from the lovely Noel Mignon.

Just a bit of eye candy (doesn't that orange look scrumptious?)...

Toodles peeps :)

A minute in pictures...

2010-04-07T16:34:00.014-06:00

One highly engrossed four year old

Add a super curious two year old brother...

...some call it love; some call it a distraction technique...others just call it the green eyed monster...:)

"Whatever, Dude! It's all good!"

"Who's There"

2010-03-21T16:05:00.003-06:00

...that's the name of this line from My Little Shoebox

I just love how bright and cheerful it is...makes me smile.. just like this picture :)

It's a school holiday tomorrow, and I'm so glad. I love having my kiddies all at home. I miss them A LOT when they're at school.

Spring Break starts next Friday. We'll be home, since I can't travel anywhere :(
But we're gonna be lazing at home with movies, books and Wii games :)

Have a great weeke everyone :)

Molehills out of Mountains...

2010-03-18T10:28:00.004-06:00

So, my surgery went well.
The recovery period is long and painful.
And as luck would have it, fraught with some complications.
So, I'm back on anti-biotics and trying to ward off a painful and uncomfortable infection.

I'm going to leave you with a page for "Upsy Daisy Designs", which I did before the surgery.
Papers are from the "Blossom" line, and the design is based on a sketch by our lovely girl from across the pond, Kim Sonkson :)

Farewell Fair February

2010-02-28T20:25:00.007-07:00

And just like that the first two months of 2010 are over.

I wanted to share a few pics of the new home we're building.

A few of you asked "didn't you just build a house?"...yes, you're right we did.
In fact we only moved into the house we built in April 2009.
And by the end of July we knew we had to be elsewhere.

And a new building project was born.

We found the perfect lot, with a beautiful ravine behind us.
Translation: complete privacy and no neighbours in the back :)

(picture taken on 18 January 2010)

This is the view from our nook and family room.

(picture taken on 30 January 2010)

Here's a side view:

...and the other side:

Apparantly the roof shingles are up.
I'll have more pics after next weekend.

Speaking of next weekend, I'll be having a breast reduction and a lift on Thursday.
After I lost some weight last year, my breasts didn't change much and need to be brought into proportion with my body. Hopefully it should ease up some of the back pain I've been having.
And the lift?
Well after nursing 4 kids, need I say more?

Fingers crossed it all goes off without a hiccup :)
And by "hiccup" I mean without the surgeon getting a case of the hiccups while he has a scalpel in one hand and my boob in the other ...hee-hee...

Later Gators :)

2010-02-25T10:41:00.009-07:00

Apparantly my word for 2010 didn't apply to my blog updates...hee-hee.

Sorry for the long (and dramatic) pause between posts.
Lots going on here.
Lots.
And lots.
And then a little more...Lots!

But I had the good luck to stop and play with paper and glue last week, when Hubby took the kiddos to the toboggan hill near the lake here...

And boy...did I have fun!

You know, when anyone comments "You've been with "Upsy Daisy" for a long time", I can say honestly with no hesitation, "I LOVE their stuff"...really I do.

And their new releases at CHA last month just kept the romance going for me.

I tried not to play favourites, but "See ya Later Alligator" just sat on my lap and fed me chocolates...tee-hee...

And this is the product of that bribery ;)

(layout based on a sketch by Kim Sonkson for "Upsy Daisy Designs")

I'm gonna be back to update on what's been happening...some pics on the development of the house we're building; my trip to finally see a man about new boobs (hell yeah!) and other schtuff :)

'til then be good and have a great weekend (well it IS Thursday)

My Word for this Year...

2010-01-17T20:15:00.004-07:00

... "Discipline"

I need to train my mind and body...
Hard.

I immortalised my wish for this year on this page

Papers are from "Upsy Daisy Designs - A Walk in the Park"

Tomorrow I'm off to see a specialist for a consult.
Trying to get something done to ease this never-ending back, neck and shoulder pain I've been suffering since having the kids...

Have a great week! :)

Still Updating 2009

2010-01-12T16:58:00.006-07:00

...don't accuse me of racing ahead of myself...lol...no chance of that EVER happening

So, I'm still trying to get a few minutes to update with some cool pics, and cool stuff we've been fortunate to capture and experience.

Take for instance last Christmas (which was technically 18 days ago..hee-hee).
Anywho, it was one of the first Christmases we didn't have family visiting from South Africa, so on a spur-of-the-moment decision, we loaded up the troops, packed our bathing suits and headed South to *this awsome place*

We left a freezing Alberta (it was around minus 57 celcius with the windchill at the time) and arrived at plus 27 celcius (a tad bit too hot at times...yeah yeah I'm a moaner, I know..lol)

...but...
...
...
...

WE HAD A BALL!!!!

This was a shocker...Ara is the most ladylike, girly-girl, pink and sparkly little thing ever to cross anyones path:

We booked a photo shoot with the in-house photog at the hotel (he shot with a Nikon, and really wasn't very good...), but we got some treasured family pics :)

When we left there, we were brown, over-fed, tired...but so so happy~

Something New

2010-01-07T13:51:00.007-07:00

We started working on a new project last summer (around August 2009)...
No, it doesn't cry or answer to some 3 or 5 letter name...hee-hee...
But it's just as exciting...:):):)

The new spot...

The "foundation prayer/blessing"...(taken with a camera phone...eeek!)

About 2.5 weeks ago...

6 days ago...(note the garage is up from the last pic)

Yup...ahem...be back with some family pics, and hopefully some scrappy stuff :)

Happy 2010!!!

2010-01-02T10:41:00.003-07:00

I'm a day late.
(Hope that's not going to be "my thing" for this year ;) )

I want to wish all my readers, friends, family and lurkers the bestest year ever.

I'm thinking about resolutions.
(Again, a little late...hee-hee)

Anyone want to share what your resolutions for this year are?

Hello Winter...

2009-12-08T18:37:00.008-07:00

We went to bed on a not-too-cold night...
and woke up to 30 degrees celcius below zero...
...that's without the wind-chill.

Having an Evil Streak, being Opinionated,Self-Centered...and other Important Stuff

2009-12-03T23:28:00.003-07:00

I know it's been a while between posts, but to be fair (to me...lol), my desktop died a few weeks ago, and in between ordering to trying out various parts, realising there was a D.N.R on the system, and ordering a new one (which will only be delivered around Christmas), I have been slightly impeded.

At the moment I'm coming to you from a laptop which has none of my pics or scrappy stuff, so brace yourself for a read.

I've been having a bit of a trying time of late.
My parents are going through a difficult period, and it's tough for me being this far away.

Fortunately, my children are lovely, and unconditional in their love for me. They greet me with big broad smiles every day, and my days are filled with countless hugs and kisses...
Even when I play the 'mean mommy" card, they're still there smiling (not at that very second of course ;))

Makes everything so worthwhile...
Really...

Oh,if you're wondering about the title of this post, it's a reminder to myself...
Not that I'll need reminding...

Okay this is a vague and confusing post.
I needed to make it though.
For posterity.

Be back soon...hopefully with pics :)
Thanks for checking back, ya'll :)

Start of Birthday Quarter...

2009-10-26T14:46:00.009-06:00

The 25th of October marks the start of 3 months of cake-eating.
It's like Shark Week...
But without the Sharks...
And lots of cakes...
And it runs over many many weeks...

Yesterday, Osh had his big day and we celebrated with a cupcake cake, which was done up in a Halloween theme:

Watch this space for more b/day pics...

This guy is next:

2009-10-22T14:01:00.004-06:00

What a couple of weeks it's been!

My Garage Sale went awsomely.
I made some cash...
Got rid of some stuff...
And spent waaaaaaaayyyyy too much time setting up and taking it back down.

Then our Zuzzi took a fall, and this happened:

I rushed him to the emergency room (a first for us) 'cause there was just SO MUCH BLOOD

I asked for Hubby, who was doing the anaesthetics in theatre that day.
He came out, with the surgeon, and a handful of nurses...
(benefits of having a Doc in the family...hee)
And declared that our little monkey was fine.

A large box of "Smarties" was prescribed, along with a stiff shot of Bailey's for Mum...
And all was well :)

Hey, did you know it's almost that time of year again?

Supplies: "Upsy Daisy Designs" papers from the "Hot Chocolate" line

Okay, time to scoot...later gators :)

My Second Annual Garage Sale

2009-10-02T07:53:00.002-06:00

Last summer I had a small, impromtu scrappy garage sale.
It went pretty well, and I got a fair idea of what the local ladies wanted.

So this year, I did it again.
Except I advertised it, and planned it out a bit more.

Tons (and I mean TONS) of stuff is ticketed to be sold.
I probably need another two garages in order to set out everything.

Yesterday was Day 1,and it ends tomorrow at 6pm.
So far, it's going pretty well.

This Fella...

2009-09-22T20:44:00.003-06:00

... started Playschool today.
He'll go every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, for 2.5 hours.

Boy, was he ever so excited. He's been asking us for weeks, "When's playschool starting? What grade am I going to be in?"...hee...cute!

Of course, this guy missed him...

...a lot!

And so did Mum :(

De-Cluttering Life

2009-09-21T10:38:00.003-06:00

Lately I've been feeling overwhelmed.
By everything.

I've had to step back and take a cold, critical look at where I am, and where I'm going.

One big thing i've noticed is that through the years my life has become cluttered: physically and emotionally.

I have made the decision to de-clutter it.
Now.

I started with something small... my library books.
I've always had a pile of library books on my night-stand.
Just looking at that pile puts me off reading.
And I forget about the books (which I am not reading)
And the fines start piling up.

So, I returned all those books, I "just had to read".
And I picked one book from our home library (yes, it is a rather well-stocked and current library), and started reading it.
I read for 2 nights...
And finished the book.
And loved it.

Next I sent back the rented DVD's that were sitting on the mantle.
Movies I "just had to watch" but didn't get around to even breaking them out the case.
Sent them back.

To keep the momentum going, I picked up a small pile of scrapbooking supplies, and auctioned them off on E-Bay.
And they were sold.

Then I packed a big box full of supplies and donated it to a non-profit organisation which auctions off goods at Christmas.
So, the scrappy pile is being reduced...

How do you de-clutter your life?

2009-09-19T16:56:00.004-06:00

So, the school that the girls are attending is pretty close to our house.
In fact, they've been walking to and from school every day.

I rushed out one afternoon just so I could get this shot of them walking home :)

2009-09-17T16:11:00.003-06:00

Kerseni and I, looking rad and fab in Durban, South Africa - July 2009

I realise that I've been very slack on keeping up my blog for a while.
In fact, some days, I think about just forgetting about it altogether.

Then I talk to someone (usually a friend or family member) who mentions that they love reading it, seeing the pics and keeping up with my scrappy stuff.

Then I come back to it.
Like now :)

Life has gotten so busy lately.
Since we got back from South Africa, we have decided to make some major changes in our lives. The trip was a huge wake-up call.We saw the life we could have had, and realised that we were leading lives that fell so short of what we want, what we grew up with, and what we want our children to experience.

So we've been making changes.
And it has been exhausting.

School started 3 weeks ago and getting into the routine of making lunches, packing snacks, over-seeing homework e.t.c has been challenging. The boys are home with me, and since they're not T.V fiends, they need to be occupied every. single. minute.

I havn't had a whole lotta "ME" time lately.And I've been feeling and looking pretty neglected.
Hopefully that'll change once the help we're hiring gets here in a week and a half.

Okay, gotta scoot...started a new tradition of baking from scratch on a Thursday :)

Summer's almost over...

2009-09-13T14:09:00.003-06:00

Ara and Cai --- taken at one of the nearby lakes a week or so ago

This has been the longest summer we've ever experienced since coming to Canada, over 8 years ago.
Usually by the time the kids go back to school, there's a noticeable chill in the air, and they're wearing jeans and a long-sleeved shirt to school.

This year, though, they're still wearing summer dresses, capris and shorts to school.
(You'll have to take my word on this, since I don't have pics to prove it -- see previous post hee-hee)

We've been busy busy busy since we got back from S.A.
Lots of new stuff going on with our family.

As far as scrapping goes, I'm going through all my stuff now and trying to organise a garage sale.
At the moment I have a ton of Basic Grey 12x12 Paper packs for sale. So, if you're looking for something in particular, just holler at me 'kay?

Okay, off to take a tea break...later gators :)

2009-09-04T16:34:00.004-06:00

Supplies: "Upsy Daisy" - "A new Day" patterned papers; "Circle of Friends" brad; "You make me Blush" rub-ons; AC chipoard Thickers

"How YOU doin'?"
(said in my best Joey Tribiani voice)

The girls started school this week.
I forgot to take pics.
*gasp*
The entire week.
I meant to...even charged the batteries...
But just plain forgot!

And the Award Goes to....

2009-08-27T18:59:00.006-06:00

Well if there was an award for the gal who neglected her blog over the fabulous summer months, I'd say "Move over, 'cause that baby's MINE!!"...

July was STUPENDOUS!!!
Serious, major, kick-butt, remember forever FUN.

We spent two glorious weeks in South Africa.
And I never wanted to leave.
It was that good.

Ahhhhhh.....
Still exhaling....be back in a bit :)

"Upsy Daisy" wants YOU

2009-07-03T10:10:00.002-06:00

"Upsy Daisy Designs" is adding designers to the team.

Check out all the information on the **BLOG****

Can't wait to see the fabby entries :):)

2009-07-02T11:07:00.001-06:00

It's hard to pack...
When there's so much cuteness around :)

Almost Time

2009-06-30T12:50:00.008-06:00

Just under a week to go before we leave for *S.A*.
The girls and I havn't been there in 4 years.
The boys have never ever been there.

So, lots of excitement over here these days :)

Especially since we're plannig on cramming loads of stuff into the 2 weeks and a bit we have there.
Like a few nights *here*, and a planned trip *here*,and lots and lots of visiting with family in *Durbs*...

On the way back to Canada, we're stopping in London for a few nights and days, to play tourist...and to visit with good friends and a few family members.

In the meanwhile I'm trying to pack, organise stuff and keep the short people entertained and flu-free (say that 15 times...lol)

Of course, I also got to scrap a bit.
How could I not, when a big box from "Upsy Daisy Designs",, featuring their 4 new lines, turned up at the house :)

Here's a peek...

Papers are from "Upsy Daisy Designs" new line " A New Day"

OKay,that's it for now...
Have a good one everybody :)

Hot!! Hot!! Hot!!

2009-06-23T15:05:00.004-06:00

Summer is here for sure.
We've been seeing temps in the mid to higher 20's.
And that is HOT!

We're getting ready for our BEEEEEEG July vacation.
A bit of stress.
Lots of planning...
And more planning...

Now and then I stop
and do this...

(All papers and rub-ons are "Upsy Daisy Designs")

Off to crank up the AC...;)

M.I.A

2009-06-14T19:54:00.007-06:00

Long time, peeps.
Lots been happening, and I sat down to update on more than one occassion and thought, "Meh..."...lol...you know how that works, right?

*Canadian Scrapbooker's Summer Issue* hit the stands on 1 June and I have 2 pages in there.

Here they are for those of you who don't get this mag in your neck of the woods:

and...

...and they requested a page for their Fall issue too :):)

I havn't scrapbooked much lately, but tonight I'm cutting into some lurverly *Upsy Daisy*yumminess.
Did you know they have 4 new lines debuting this summer; complete with matching brads and stamps.
Yum! Yum! Yum!

On the homefront, we parted ways with our nanny. It was a case of us running into the same problems with her over and over for the entire 7 months. So we gave her two weeks to shape up or ship out, and she opted to ship out.
So, we're juggling again, but things seem a lot *nicer* without her around.

We started the paperwork to bring in a replacement, and this time we're being super picky during the interview period. So far we think we've found our lady...older and hopefully, wiser than her predecessor.

I took the kids to the park the other day.
Look at this weird thing Eilam does... he is clearly not happy getting sand on his feet...lol)

House-Zilla

2009-05-07T13:19:00.003-06:00

Yup..that's me!
While the fix-ups continue in the house, my patience is starting to wane.

So today, for fun (ha!), I did this page, on the floor, with bare essentials...
Totally not my usual style, but kinda freeing to just "go with it"...

And I felt a whole lot better, as in "less stressed", afterward...:)

This is Rea, at 10 months.
We took this pic at *Sun City*, one of the best places one earth!

Happy Thursday everyone :)

Moved In

2009-05-05T13:05:00.007-06:00

We finally moved into our new home and it's been a bit crazy trying to settle in, unpack and tend to the sickies.

As with a lot of new houses, we are discovering a few problems that need attention...like our Spa-shower in the ensuite, which was apparantly installed upside down without an installation guide...and this by a plumber who admits to have never installed one like it before...
Pardon the shabby pic..lighting was a bit wonky and I couldn't find my lenses...

So now all that tile has to be removed...plumbing has to be re-done, drywallers come back and re-tiling begins.
In the meantime, someone scratched the tempered glass with a tool...Grrrrr!!!

The rest is starting to feel like home though :)

(need to find a bufet and nicely framed mirror to fit into that recess)

...super happy with the way the kitchen turned out :)

...and loving that the kitchen looks out at the lake (which you can't see due to crappy lense action)

Oh, my Guest Design Spot at Mark's Paper Company is on this month.
Loved working with their stuff and got everything in just before we moved...whew!

Check out my bio and projects *here*

Presently, I'm unpacking the office and scrappy room, which is always a load of fun :):):)
We're thinking of getting rid of the queen sized bed in the guest room, replacing it with a pull-out couch, and using it as a combined office/scrappy room for Oshean and I...I'm liking the idea...plus a pull-out kinda ensures the guests don't stay too long, eh?...lol

Happy week everyone!!!

Mark's Paper Company

2009-04-20T16:46:00.003-06:00

Early in February, the lovely Stacy Marks invited me to Guest Design for her brand new company called *Mark's Paper Company* in the month of May.
At the time there was quite a buzz in the scrappy community about this new company which had a created paper that resembled fabric.

I had only seen images online, but when I received the two lines "Old Fashioned Courtship" and "August", I was suitably bowled over :)
It didn't take long for me to get creating and I have to say that I fell in love with this little company during the process.

A happy addition to my creative process was receiving some darling "Printable Patches" in a MP Co. *newsletter*.
These were the perfect finishing touches to my pages :)

I hope you enjoyed my little sneekies. You can everything in its entirety on the 1st of May :)

Getting Fit, Freezing Rain and (yet another) Possession Date

2009-04-12T07:30:00.006-06:00

As some of you may recall, I started a dedicated excercise regime mid-January this year.
Coupled with my 45 minutes on the treadmill, at least 5 times a week, I have tried to adjust the way I eat, and slowly but surely the plan is starting to work.

As of a couple weeks ago I was down 10 pounds.
Yay Me!!!
Of course, that's only a fraction of what I'd like to lose (I'm not saying what the fraction is...hee-hee), but it's a start.

The weather has finally taken a turn for the better. We've had some really warm days, and a lot of the snow has finally melted.
But it looks like while we said good-bye to snow, we have had to dig out the umbrellas and rainboots.

Lots of rain, mainly freezing rain, which makes a heck on a noise when it hits the skylights.
But rain's good...and everything looks so fresh and "new" after a good washing, right?

News on *the house*, we've been given a possession date of the 17 April. It's like the tenth possession date we've been given since last year, but we're feeling hopeful...kinda.
The girls have their Hip-Hop recitals going on next weekend and the following weekend, with rehearsels in between, so we booked a mover for the 20th April.
Cross fingers, toes, eyes, e.t.c for us!

2009-04-08T10:19:00.004-06:00

It's been a while since my last post.
The Hubs is back home safe and sound.
Kiddies are happy, but three have been passing around a bug for the past 2 weeks, so it's like a hospital here at the moment.

I saw a happy happy announcement today on the Pink Paislee site.
I won this whack of yumminess (thanks Pink Paislee :):):)):

*drool*, right?

So, I'm going to leave you with a lookie at a page I did not a long while back, full of PP goodness:

Happy Hump Day ya'll!

Self Portraits

2009-03-26T20:18:00.007-06:00

If you take most, or all the photos in your family, you already know that's near impossible to find a photograph of yourself anywhere.

So when someone asks to see a pic of you, you resort to drastic measures.

The Self Portrait.

So I set up a little session for myself.
Set the timer on the camera...couldn't find the tripod (probably packed away somewhere waiting to get to the new house), and got to clicking.
Super-model style.

Nah...

This is a sampling of what I turned up with:

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? hee-hee...

Ah! There I am...having a little zone-out from the looks of things...

The must-have kissy-face *mmwwwaaahhh*

Okay that's all folks :)
Have a happy weekend everyone.
We're counting down the days...4 more to go!!!

Update on the House

2009-03-25T10:38:00.015-06:00

As some of you may know....okay, as ALL of you may know (hee-hee), we started building a house last year.
February 2008 to be more precise.

Well the house continues to be built, and we're hoping it will be ready in April.
It's gotten frustrating waiting this long, but when I go in there and see the lovely attention to detail, then it all seems worth it (sort of..)

I went over to snap a few pics this morning after I dropped the girls off at school and though I'd share them here.

Our front door, which is actually a double door, so that cool handle is replicated on the other door as well :)

The awsome stone tiled entrance hall above which hangs *the chandelier*

One of the many cool pillars. This one separates the formal dining room from the formal sitting room (green room)

The view from the green room...overlooks a nearby park and the lake, which is frozen at the moment, but still very picturesque

Miss Ara's room, one of the largest rooms in the house, and painted in our princesses favourite colours (the lilac looks a bit electric blue here)

Rea's room, totally her favourite colours

Cai's paint colours. We're getting a red racing car bed to go up against that blue wall...

The bathroom sinks, counter-tops and fixtures

The fabulous bookshelf which was built into a recessed wall, at the foot of the staircase (not the greatest pic since I wasn't using the right lens)

The interior door levers:

Okay, I think I got most of it.
Fingers crossed we get to move in soon :)

Sleepless Nights

2009-03-22T09:56:00.007-06:00

So, I'm not a great sleeper when Oshean isn't home.
Even on his call nights, I tend to pace up and down the passage, too restless to even read.

But it's been a week since he's left, so I'm sort of settling down.
Not sleeping a whole lot,
But reading and watching the odd movie here and there...

I have a pile of novels which have been turned into movies to read.
"The Secret life of Bees", "Nights in Rodanthe", "The Kite Runner" and so on...
I havn't watched the movies yet...tend to read and then watch...
Kinda anal that way.

Loved these two movies in particular:

(French dialogue - English Sub-titles)

I even got a little crafty and dressed up an old tin in which we now proudly store our Band-Aids :)

Everything, except the ribbon is Upsy Daisy Designs Product

That's it for today.
Happy Sunday everyone...

Opera Day

2009-03-20T19:35:00.009-06:00

The girls' school had the Alberta Opera group visiting today. So to get into the spirit, the staff and students got to dress up as though going to an opera (bear in mind we're still in the minus temps and the snow lies thickly on the ground).
But the Naidoo girls never back down from an opportunity to play dress up and here's how the morning shaped up:

Rea (green sleeve) and Ara (reflected in the mirror), checking on their hair and make-up (just chapstick ;))

Trying to get everyone to look at the camera is a challenge!!!
Poor Cai still had his wonky morning eyes (and hair!)

We even managed to get in a mini piano recital (look how elegant Ara looks)

Okay, elegant from the waist up it would appear...lol

And of course the Grand Finale...(note the cracker in his left hand)

How about that big drooling grin?

2009-03-19T20:17:00.006-06:00

These flowers were delivered to our home on Tuesday.
I took a pic for Osh 'cause as hard as I'm trying I'm not sure they'll survive until he gets home.

The kids are okay...
all starting to show signs of missing their Dad.

We're crossing out the days on the calender in the kitchen.
Every day a big black "X" covers the day which has passed.

In the meanwhile the boys were playing hard today.

and someone found his sister's princess carriage...ssshhh!

I should get a pic of the girls.
They were at piano classes when I snapped these of the boys...

I'm off for the evening.
Completely and utterly exhausted....

St. Patrick's Day

2009-03-17T13:42:00.005-06:00

Thanks for all the words of encouragement and comfort...
It means a lot to us.

I told Hubby that I would update my blog with pics and a few anecdotes while he is away, so he won't feel like he's missing much.
So if my posts seem a bit "drivelly" and spazzy, please bear with me :)

Today is St.Patrick's Day, and the children were asked to wear green, and to bring green coloured foods and snacks to school.

I was inspired by *our favourite Seuss book* and whipped up this for the girls' lunches:

I was talking to my sis-in-law last night and was trying to explain how much snow we have here.
I figure a picture's worth a thousand words, so Kers, here's the fire hydrant in front of our house:

That's it for now...have a great week everyone...

2009-03-15T12:49:00.003-06:00

Our family was devastated last week when Oshean's brother, at the age of 39, passed away after suffering a massive heart attack.

The last couple days have been so difficult.
Especially since we're so far away.
And our hearts ache.

Oshean is flying to South Africa at the moment and will be there on Tuesday morning.
The kids and I are here.
It was too little time to co-ordinate all 6 of us leaving on short notice.
So, we sit here, while our hearts are with our family in South Africa.

Rest in peace Deen...
You will never know how much you will be missed.

Crash and Burn

2009-03-05T08:59:00.002-07:00

Yup!
That's my P.C.
Sunday night it started acting really wonky and then shut off. When I tried to reboot it there was this awful burning smell coming from the tower.

Of course as luck would have it, I have a ton of photos on there.
I just hope we can salvage the hard drive.
The company is despatching a tech since the burning smell now places it under a "personal and environmental hazard" flag.
Yikes!!!

So for now I am just checking in from Hubby's office.
Which I can't see myself doing too often since the weather is WICKED!!!
Think BLIZZARDS...
Double Yikes!!!

So cross fingers for me that my P.C (which is relatively new and has all the bells and whistles) is salvage-able.
Well, at least my pics are anyway :(

Take care everyone!

Yoo-Hoo Tanya!!!

2009-02-27T19:51:00.004-07:00

Thanks so much for playing along everyone.

I had a heck of a tiring couple of days, and was actually in bed at 7 this evening.
I woke up with a jolt, thinking "Oops! I'm supposed to do the Upsy Daisy draw tonight!!!"

So I jumped outta bed, grabbed two of *these babies* and came to sit down at the P.C
I decided to use a random number generator this time and it churned up this:

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

4

Timestamp: 2009-02-28 03:06:35 UTC

So, congrats to TANYA....please e-mail me with your details: lacintha@hotmail.com :)

Have a fabulous weekend everyone!!!

2009-02-25T16:34:00.004-07:00

Hey, thanks for all the "congrats", ya'll :)
It's always a thrill to see your stuff in the mags...these two pubs are pubs 5 and 6 for me.
I'm not big on submitting (translation:lazy), but this has been a shot in the arm to try a little harder :)

Now...I want to show you these cute jingly jangly earrings I got the other day.I took my girls to get haircuts after school, and the owner of the salon was unpacking some new shiny sparkly stuff.
I spotted these earrings, put them right on, paid and walked out wearing them ...instant gratification is the name of the game!

Don't forget the Upsy Daisy givaway.
I'll be drawing a name some time on Friday...

Oh Yeah!

2009-02-24T16:07:00.008-07:00

This week has been awsome!
And it's only Tuesday!
BOOYAH!!!

I had two pages picked up for publication by Canadian Scrapbooker
And one super-duper e-mail from the gals at CK

Sooooo, to celebrate, I'm giving away some "Upsy Daisy" goodies.
I have the entire "Bebe" line of papers; some rub-ons and a stamp set.

Here's what you'll get:

Now repeat after me:
BOOYAH!!!

(oh, and leave a comment so I can draw a name :))

Bring It

2009-02-20T19:25:00.005-07:00

Anyone else ready for some sunshine?
Thought I'd make a card.
Hoping it can twist Mother Nature's arm a bit.

2009-02-19T14:18:00.003-07:00

I've been playing along in a "Use Your Stash" challenge at one of my online hangouts and this has been great in that I've been unearthing a treasure-trove of goodies I've plain forgotten about.

Here's a recent page featuring my guy, Cai (I'm a poet and I didn't know it!)

In other news, I was happy to discover yesterday that a winner of my RAK last week, Yve, actually lives right here in St.Paul!
Wow, talk about small world.
We're hoping to meet soon :)

Tonight is my Spanish class, and it's going really well. I kinda prefer it when the class moves fast rather than at a more leisurly pace...I almost learn/retain more that way.
The other night Hubs and I watched a movie which had a bit of non-subtitled Spanish dialoge and I managed to translate it...correctly...I think.

Needless to say the Hubs was muyo impressed and is now busy planning exotic trips to Spanish speaking lands...Oy vey!
This is probably a good time to tell him that the supposedly romantic phrase I said to him in Spanish actually means "My mother drank eight black boots"...hee-hee

2009-02-18T10:33:00.002-07:00

I'm back!
A little later than expected, but I'm off to the Post Office again later today, so I'll set that envie of trim on its way to its new owner :)

I wrote down all your names, cut up the paper into strips, tossed 'em all into my popcorn bowl (clean of course) and drew a name...

Ms Kelli, come on down!
Shoot me an e-mail with your deets and I'll pop this in the mail today :)

Keep checking back 'cause I'm putting together some Upsy Daisy yumminess to give away soon :)

Ribbon, Anyone?

2009-02-17T12:04:00.002-07:00

The scrap-purging continues.
Today I have a LOAD of gorgeous ribbon and trims for you.
There are 23-24 different types of trim here.
You will get twill, grosgrain, satin, lace, ric-rac, GIANT ric-rac, satin-edged sheers, printed twill and so so much more.

Just leave a comment and I'll draw a name :)

Drum Roll Please

2009-02-09T20:33:00.007-07:00

Sorry I'm late with this draw...it suddenly got muyo busy here the last couple days.
We're trying to wind up the last bits of the house we're building so it's been a lot of shuttling back and forth trying to piece together little deets...

Anywhoooooo....I printed out all the comments up to the end of yesterday, snipped 'em up, popped them into Hubby's cap and pulled one out (sounds like a lot of work right?
It was.)
lol....

So, without further ado, would Yve please e-mail me at lacintha@hotmail.com and let me have your postal details.
I have a box ready to drop in the mail to you :)

Grammy Night

2009-02-08T19:54:00.003-07:00

I am loving the Grammys this year.
The last couple years were a bit lacklustre but this year the performers were AWSOME!!!

Al Green and Justin Timberlake!
WOW!!!

Jennifer Hudson (love love love her!!!) and Coldplay (brilliant!).

The only downer was the no-show by Chris Brown and Rihanna :(

Hubs is at work tonight and the kiddies are in bed.
I just finished reading *this amazing book*
It was powerful, moving and superbly written...I'd highly recommend it :)

Here's our little Zuzzi, who woke up to a runny nose and some minor congestion this a.m.
He's still so upbeat though :)
And he loves wearing his Dad's hat, even when he was eating lunch...lol

2009-02-05T20:48:00.002-07:00

A quick update on my excercise regime.
I've been treadmilling for 4 weeks now.
5-6 days a week.
Averaging 35 minutes per day.

I think I'm starting to see results.

My earlobes look waaaaaaay skinnier.
As do my elbows.
And my knees.

Woo-Hoo!

Ben & Jerry's all around, I say!

Don't forget about my bloggity give-away
I'll be collecting comments until the end of this weekend.

Buenos nochos Amigas!

Blog Candy

2009-02-04T21:47:00.010-07:00

One promise I made to myself at the end of last year was to PURGE my scrappy stuff regularly.

At least monthly.

Well, I'm a little late since January just ended.
But I have a great excuse :)
The Hubs and I were celebrating 13 years of B-L-I-S-S...
Well, mostly bliss...lol...

Anywho, leave me a comment and I'll pull a name for a box FULL of goodies...

Here's a page I did last week.
Look at that expression on Cai's face...lol

Okay, I'm off to conjugate Spanish verbs...F-U-U-U-N!!!
NOT!

Look

2009-02-01T16:14:00.009-07:00

...what followed me home this weekend!!!

While Hubby was paying for this, another customer (major Fashionista) said in a heavy Czech accented voice:

"You have good Husband...good Husband"

Then she looked me up, head to toe, and says "Well, beautiful wife needs beautiful things"

Someone should put that down in a book of famous quotes.
Heck I think I'll get it written down on every wall in my house!

Have a great week ya'll!!

Ola

2009-01-29T15:07:00.011-07:00

I'm taking a conversational Spanish class this year.
Go Me!!!

It runs for about 6 months, and I am psyched!
I always wanted to learn Spanish, and while my friends dreamed of romantic French banter, I longed for the racy, spicy repartee of Spanish.

So, wish me luck and if anyone here knows any Spanish, leave me a Spanish comment (with an English translation, 'cause I'm not THAT good - yet!...lol)

Now, I'm curious about who visits my blog :)

I have a little map at the bottom which tells me where people who read here have come from.
It usually resets itself every 24 hours or so, and I see lots of visitors from lots of different places.

And that makes me happy :)

So how about if you stop and say "hi" next time you visit?
That would make me very very happy.

And with that, I'm off to drop my girls at piano classes, and then hustle back home to get supper ready.
Have a great day, ya'll :)

2009-01-25T13:36:00.006-07:00

Loveliness gave me two cute awards today.

Here's the first one:

Soooo, I have to list 5 addictions and then pass on the award to 5 other lovely blogger - buddies :)

5 Addictions: (this was a toughie since I have an addictive personality, and a short attention span, so you know my addictions are fast and furious...lol)

1. Zelda: love love love this, although I'm far from being even remotely "okay-ish"...hee-hee

2. My Treadmill: remember I said my attention span is short, so know that I've only been diligently using this machine for two weeks now, but I look foward to my work-out time, and to the day my butt stops looking like two Labradoodles wrestling inside a potato sack (how's that for a visual?)

3. Ben and Jerry's "Banana Split: Okay, now I'm figuring out why the two weeks of diligent treadmilling has barely knocked off even half an inch of my butt *a-ha*

4. Word games like Scrabble and Literati. My Facebook friends will know that the only interaction they get from me on there is a game or 10 of Word Twist :)

5. "Ricoffy", a South African instant coffee. I've been away from S.A for 8 years and this is still the only coffee I drink at home. Many of my Canadian friends have tried and loved it, and South Africans look foward to this little taste of "home" :)

And now, 5 fabulous people I would love to pass the award to. . .
a) Kim
b) The Divine Ms. Ashe
c) Charity
d) Deb
e) Ell

Okay, this post took me almost the entire day (that's what happens when the Nanny has the day off...lol)
I'll be back tomorrow :)

2009-01-21T10:29:00.007-07:00

Ola!
I wanted to share this beautiful pic of my beautiful Zuzzi (well technically he's Eilam, but we've called him "Zuzzi" from the time he was born ;))

I took it yesterday.
He had spotted my camera on the table and started wobbling toward it with loud shouts of "cheeeeeeezzzz....cheeeeezzzz", so I grabbed and clicked.
I love how clear it is, and how his eyes are so luminous.No photo editing here.It came straight off the memory card like this :)

Hope ya'll are having a great Wednesday.
It's minus 13 celcius here today.
Manageable :)

Lazy Sundays

2009-01-18T11:55:00.005-07:00

Who loves them more than I do?
Nobody...that's who!...lol

I finally got my hands on **this game**.
Going to give it a whirl this evening.

Ooohh, if you like board games, look at 30 Seconds.
I know it is traditionally a South African game, and my MIL brought us one a few years back.
I'm trying to change a few things on ours since a few of the questions relate to particular South African places and customs e.t.c, and our kiddies get lost (but Oshean and I love it :))

Scrappy-wise, one of the ladies who DT'd with me has opened up her own kit club, and her kits are super cute, and easy on the wallet.
She is having a "use-your-stash challenge" which started today.
I'm looking foward to playing along and using up my older, but much loved stash in the process...join in if you're up to it :)

Okay, I'm off...have a good one everyone :)

Who wants Stuff?

2009-01-17T12:16:00.006-07:00

CHA starts in 8 days.
You know what that means.
Yup.
We need to start calling up our banks to get those extensions on our VISA's and Mastercards.

Oh yeah!
I can't wait :)

If you're fortunate enough to be attending, don't forget to stop by the Upsy Daisy booth and say "hello" to Teri and Nicole, the two super-duper new owners.
They will be at Booth #4045, and you'll get to have a first hand lookie at the four new lines :)

Oh, and just to show you how sweet they are, they are giving away a ton of new releases (think rub-ons and stamps; ya'll).
Just stop by the Daisy Diaries and leave a comment every alternate day starting today.

Here's a quick, but cute card I made using the "Man About Town" line:

2009-01-15T20:13:00.005-07:00

Man, I have been caught up in crock-pot heaven!
How did I not try this earlier?

My mum bought us one when she was here (sort of early house-warming pressie).
Then I bought a crock-pot recipe book.
And the rest is history.

We've been having such tasty broths and stews and soups.
Hearty and nutritious.
And the kids are not complaining.
At all.

How did I not try this earlier?

Here's a fun, fun page using the December '08 kit from Label Tulip

2009-01-11T14:23:00.007-07:00

Upsy Daisy Designs has four new releases, and they are yummy!

Here's a page I just loved doing, using their "Man About Town" line.

This was taken a few summers ago when Cai was just a baby, and Osh had a goatee (tee-hee)

Hope ya'll are all having a lovely, lazy Sunday :)

Happy 2009!!!

2009-01-01T22:30:00.003-07:00

2008-12-30T12:40:00.004-07:00

As the year comes to an end, I feel reflective (not like the lights on your running shoes).

The one thing I think about time and time again is the influence the online message boards and forums have had on my life.

My "online life" only began when I came to Canada almost 8 years ago.
At first I joined a South African chat site where ex-pats would congregate and wax lyrical about all things South African.

Then I made "real friends" with other immigrants, and that was how I was introduced to Scrapbooking, which in turn led me to the vast world of Message Boards, and Forums, and Kit Clubs and Circle Journals, Blogs and R.A.K's (Random Acts of Kindness.

The people I got to know on these forums and blogs shaped my life over the last 8 years, to a large extent.

For the longest time I was happy just having "computer friends".

The good news is that many of those "www friendships" morphed into real relationships.
Of course, as is the case with real life, a few of those relationships (real and online) crashed and burned; some held steady and then slowly died off; some faltered and then self-corrected; some went off track only to be dragged back on again, and some endured...long and faithfully.

Through it all though, I am grateful for those online friends, and real ones too, who have passed and stayed through and in my life.

Here's wishing every single person who stops by here for a read, a very happy and prosperous 2009.

2008-12-25T11:57:00.003-07:00

Wishing all our friends and family
Near and Far
A very merry Christmas
And the happiest of New Years...

I managed to snag the picture above early this morning
Before the carnage began :) :) :)

We were under strict instructions from Ara not to light a fire last night
So Santa wouldn't burn his bum
Or ruin his "nice red suit"....

2008-12-23T16:27:00.002-07:00

I swiped this off Kimbo's blog...it's in keeping with my present "Twilight" obsession :)

You are observant, diplomatic and often aim to please. You are unaware of your
attractiveness and despite being uncomfortable with any form of attention, people enjoy your company. You can be impatient, stubborn and headstrong, but you are true to your word and mature for your age, often taking care of your family and enjoying a good book over chatting with girlfriends on the phone.

2008-12-21T07:49:00.004-07:00

I love great Customer Service.
Duh!
Who doesn't?!!

So when 3M recently called back a batch of defective ATG guns, I was a bit leery as to how fast they would get a new gun out to me.
Well it took just 8 days from the time I called them to the time the new gun was delivered to our home.
8 days is fast.
Especially during this time of year when things slow down so much.
So, three cheers to 3M....

And if you don't have one of these babies yet, you should def. get one. Well worth the $$$ in my opinion.

Here's a pic of what you sould be looking for:

And, in keeping with great customer service, if you want to order one of these, along with the acid-free tape, you can check out Savvy 'n Sassy...
*here* for the ATG gun (lowest price anywhere!!), and *here* for the adhesive tape (again, lowest price anywhere).

Happy Shopping!!

2008-12-14T22:22:00.004-07:00

**yoo-hoo anyone there?**

Hey all...
Sorry for the large lapse...we picked up my Mum from the airport on Wednesday evening and it's been one huge bonding session since then. We have not seen her in two years and it was the first time she saw our youngest child, Eilam, so it's been good times all around.

She's a bit jet-lagged and still trying to adjust to the minus 36 degrees we've been experiencing over the past few days...Brrrrr!

I'm not going to be updating my blog too much over then next couple weeks, so I wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, and a splendiferous start to 2009...

Here's something to think about over the next couple weeks:

Dance Dance Revolution

2008-12-07T15:22:00.004-07:00

A'ight...I know ya'll want to see evidence of my smooth DDR moves...
I just know ya'll do!

So here's a pic:

Now that 'aint no camera trick.
That's just how speedy my moves are.
I'm a blur, ya'll
A blur.

2008-12-06T20:53:00.004-07:00

It's been a while since I've been here.
Not a whole lot going on.
The weather has turned icy, snowy and very very cold.

But I've been reading this:

There's been a lot of hype over this book for a long time now...here in North America, anyway.
I know my friends and family in S.A and the U.K havn't quite been swept up in the "Twilight" hysteria yet.

I was a bit dubious about reading this after hearing the raves and the "read it from cover to cover in one entire night" reviews.
Really I was dubious.

Then I started it.
And by night three I was still around page 30- something.
Not that it wasn't interesting.
It started slow, and I was exhausted.

But then it picked up, and I have to say I love the way Meyer writes.
She is a magician with the pen (or keyboard, in this case)
It's not so much the unusal storyline which has me gripped in it's icy-hot clutches.
It's the way she writes words...
You know what I mean?

Her words are delicious... they're lush and rich and melodic.
Honestly she could be writing about a grazing herd of cows and I'd be riveted.
It's a fabulous book.

2008-12-01T20:06:00.004-07:00

I had the best time doing this page.
I took my time, and really got into it...

Lots and lots of layers and textures here so I've added a few close-ups...

All the chipboard here is from Magistical Memories, and the beautiful trims and ribbons are from Savvy 'n Sassy

One more...

Happy Monday everyone, and have a great week :)

37 Today...

2008-11-30T11:49:00.003-07:00

Yup, that's me.
Woke up at 6h15 (not my choice, of course, but fun fun fun :))

- Ate a lot of stuff I really shoudn't be eating, for breakfast (think Pork dumplings and a spicy sauce);
- Got spoiled rotten by the shorties (oh, how they try, and do a dang good job at it too);
- Spoke to my parents (and my Dad made me weepy by his sweet words: "Darling, 37 years ago, you made me the happiest man in the world") *sniff*;
- Got down got down with the fam and played Dance Dance Revolution on the Wii (I'm proud to say I still have it, baby!) *wink*

Now I'm getting ready for birthday cake and a chocolate fondue (life's too short not to have both)... and then more Dance Dance...

Later 'gators!

2008-11-28T11:16:00.005-07:00

Lynette, whom, I should add, looks waaaay to young to be a grandma (for real, girl!) gave me this cool blog award:

Here are the rules:
1. The winner may put the logo on their blog.
2. Put a link to the person who sent you the award.
3. Nominate 5 blogs.
4. Provide links to their blogs.
5. Leave a message for your nominees.

Okay, so this was a toughie. I love reading blogs. The ones I follow are all so different, but so enriching in what they offer. I was hard-pressed to pick 5... or even 50 actually.

So for this award I decided to go literally with 5 creative blogs I love.
But again, I had a tough time picking just five.
Anyway, all that thinking completely did in my last two remaining brain cells...so here goes (in no particular order):

1. Christine
This lady layers and layers and layers like nobody else I know. Her photography is awsome, and she is a woman of courage and great strength.

2. Ranjini
Ranjini actually ignited the scrapbooking spark in me, way back when she started Scrapologie Kits. A sweet and inspiring individual...I *heart* her :)

3. Sasha
What can I say; Sasha kills with colour...kills kills kills...in the best possible way. Look how vibrant and alive her pages are...and she's a sweetie-pie to boot!

4. Heather
Did you see her fabric prints?
She is the reason I need a sewing machine...pronto...even though I cannot thread a needle to save my life...must have sewing machine

5. Wendy
She makes graphic clean and simple look easy..and it's not!
Trust me, I tried copying Wendy's style.
It just looked ...umm...unfinished...lol
But she ROCKS it!
HARD.

Now, if you read this and start oohing and aaahing over these five, then don't forget to hook me up with your fave creative blogs too okay?
Doesn't have to be scrappy..anything creative will do :)

2008-11-27T09:14:00.008-07:00

What a cool thing to wake up to this morning!
Check *this out*.
Thanks so much Kim :)

My one year term at Piggy Tales came to an end recently.I had so much fun working with the
"Piggy Tales" family, and the fabulous Design Team.

Thanks to Ryan and Debbie Juden, the owners, for giving me such a wonderful opportunity; and to Trina Linford, our fearless leader :), for providing us with great ideas for projects every month.

And now...here's my first entry into the second round of the Magisitical Memories Chipboard Artist Challenge

I loved using that cute lil'"Owl Hang Around" piece so much.

I also have the "Film strip" chipboard piece on this page...

Okay, I need to hop into the shower..catch ya'll tomorrow :)

Chandelier Shopping

2008-11-25T09:50:00.005-07:00

...not like Britney Spears though (hee-hee)

We've been busy picking out the lighting,door levers, thermostart registers and finalising the little details.

The house is coming along great!
We've passed our possession date.
By 6 weeks
*sigh*

I took my camera yesterday but completely forget to get some pics...

But here's a look at the Chandelier we finally found for our entrance hall:

Love it!

P.S**Turn on your speakers ya'll**