Monday, December 5, 2011

40 and Fabulous...

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

Sunday, November 13, 2011

...5 months later

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 ;)

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Time Flies

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.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

"The Paper Passion"

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.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

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


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~!

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Photoshoot

...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 :))

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Finding my way...

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

Monday, February 21, 2011

Have you Heard?

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!

Saturday, February 12, 2011

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

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?

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

This is for the Scrappers...

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!

Monday, January 31, 2011

15 Years

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.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Skype me, 'kay?

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 ;)

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Happy 2011

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?

Thursday, July 22, 2010

7 years and 2 days ago...

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 :)

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Here it is!

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

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

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

Monday, June 28, 2010

"Upsy Daisy Designs" New Lines

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?

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

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...)

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Getting Close...

"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!

Friday, May 28, 2010

Mixing it up...

..."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 :)