Mar 23, 2011

All Good Things

Spring break is so close, I can taste it!  One more work day, and then it'll be time to enjoy a wee holiday.  We'll head out to Elk Point for the weekend for a memorial hockey tournament.  Although I am still in disbelief over the fact that we have to mourn and memorialize an active 42 year old friend who passed away in November, I am honoured to come from a town that is showing his family such support.  Six hockey teams are playing to raise funds for the community and Jim's family, about 300 (at last count) people are coming to the family dinner-dance and donations are flowing in from every source.  I am PROUD to come from Elk Point and I am grateful that I can be involved in helping out.  I am part of the dinner team and will be peeling potatoes til the cows come home.... here's to surpassing everyone's expectations and honouring a solid stand-up guy who was involved in his community, a rock for his family and a larger than life personality.


layout by Carla Ganske

Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine has teamed up with Ninabrook Designs for an amazing give-away!!!  You have until midnight Friday March 25 to do the following:
1. Sign up for Ninabrook's newsletter.
2. Post on Canadian Scrapbooker's facebook group on the 'Ninabrook' thread.
You could be one of 50 (yes! 50!) winner's of the following prize package:


And finally, who hasn't been glued to the news of the tragedy unfolding in Japan?  The nation is showing such strength and resolve as they are reeling from disaster to disaster.  I know we have made a donation to the Red Cross for the relief effort and are participating in some other initiatives through our work places.  And am looking to do any more that I can, like buying this AWESOME stamp set Close to My Heart has put out to bring a little 'Hope for Japan'.  They are offering this stamp set for the incredible price of $5 and they are donating 100% of the profits to the Red Cross.  Now that can't be beat! Want to get your hands on this stamp set?  Hop on over to Carla's blog and she has more details for you.


Mar 19, 2011

Lernin' and Winin'

I have fallen off the face of the planet for over a week.  Got Avery restored to health and back to school last Thursday.  By Friday afternoon, I knew there was no escaping disease myself.  It was actually a ProD day for me, so I was in sessions all day at the same school as Mark.  I ended up finding him and after nearly fainting in the middle of his classroom asked him to drive me home. Long story short, I was sicker than I have been in a very long while with something that seemed completely different from what Avery went through.  I missed work again on Monday and limped my way through the rest of the week.

Do you want to know why I think I got sick?  Because the gods have a sense of humour, that's why!  I cheerily claimed at work that I wasn't too worried about getting sick even though lots of kids have been missing from our classes.  I rarely ever get sick, and I told them so.  That was enough to tempt fate, and scarcely two days later I was down for the count!!!!!  I am now healthy but going forward with humility in all things!

There have been no meals cooked nor any housework done the past week and so today is dedicated to recovery, reclamation and boring old duties on the home front.

Here is something not boring!  Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine just released Webiside #16- Making Gauze flowers. 




Cute huh?

Now to make it even better, Canadian Scrapbooker has a great prize package from Quick Quotes to give away.  All you have to do is leave a comment on the webisode by midnight March 27, and you are entered to win!

 My broom beckons- a dance invitation I can no longer ignore. Peace and health to you all.

Mar 8, 2011

Some days are like that....

Today was a home day.  Avery started getting sick yesterday and by this morning she was a snotty, fevered mess.  Her poor eyes are weepy, her throat hurts and she has lost her voice.  The day has been spent on the couch with lots of books, tv, fluids and kleenex.  Funny how kids regress when they are sick and so she was putting in her old Bearnstein Bear movies and I am totally grateful that she never liked Barney!!!  So I brought out a few other movie choices and she chose 'Big'.  Remember that one? With Tom Hanks, made in the 80's?  Well, I had fond memories of it as a silly story, a what-if story, a perfectly suitable story. Probably some swearing, thus the PG rating.  Turns out, I forgot the scene where Tom Hank's character totally hooks up with a co-worker.  She takes off her blouse while they kiss, there is some bewildered fondling and 'cuppage'.  Avery says, "Mom!  Why is she doing that???  Why are they even doing that???"  Ummmm.... well *ahem* Thank goodness they cut away before any more happened!!!

So, our living room looks like this:

and poor Avery looks like this:

Some days you just give up to chicken noodle soup and cuddles!  (With a few awkward explanations thrown in for good measure.)

Mar 7, 2011

Would you apply for this job?

Help Wanted: Adults to coordinate growth and development of new product from inception to maturity. Must be willing to take responsibility for health, safety, education, emotional well-being and social development. Minimum 18 year commitment. Hours: 24/7. Pay: Meager. Guidelines not fully developed; instructions not included. No potential for promotion or advancement.

Ha! That is quite the job description, but that is being a parent in a nutshell!  Although I have my daughter convinced that I was handed a rule book at the hospital when she was delivered,  ("I'm sorry, but I can't let you do that.  It's in the rule book!) there are no such handy guides.  That's why I loved this, which I copied from www.ahealthyplace.com/. There will always be tight spots, sticky situations (and fingers!) but I think this is a summation of some good guidelines to live by! 

1. Appreciate the value of play: it is a child's work. Play is critical to all aspects of a child's development, but is often overlooked as a valuable tool. Play can prevent discipline problems, offers a natural way for children to learn, and is essential in the formation of a positive relationship between parent and child.
2. Talk with and listen to your child. It's important to make eye contact and use gentle touch when communicating with your child. Give clear and consistent instructions -- but not too many at once. Remember the importance of non-verbal communication, and be sure to hold a child for comfort or to share smiles and hugs.
3. Build your child's brain and body. Provide healthful meals and snacks and model good eating habits. Encourage exercise by being active with your child and limiting time in front of the television or playing video games. Support your child's efforts in school and provide opportunities to learn and explore by visiting the library, museums, zoos and other places of interest.
4. Be your child's first source of information. Encouraging your children to ask questions now, makes it easier for them to ask questions when they are older. By answering questions from your child with honesty and openness, you can create a relationship of mutual trust and respect that can prevent your child from developing unsafe habits or taking unnecessary risks.
5. Learn how children develop and know your unique child. When it comes to your child, the real expert is you, the parent. Know all areas of your child's development -- physical, intellectual, social, emotional and moral -- and remember there is nothing to be ashamed of if your child needs special help to progress at his or her own best rate.
6. Cherish your child's individuality. Support your child's interests and talents. Try to spend time alone with each of your children every day. Praise your children's differences and avoid comparing them or asking why they can't be like someone else.
7. Set your household up for success -- make it work for the whole family. Model and teach good safety habits and establish routines. Discuss and enforce family rules that work for your household -- for example, putting toys away after play.
8. Take care of yourself. If you are tired, ill or just worn out, you cannot be an effective parent. Eat healthfully, get enough sleep, take occasional breaks from parenting if possible, and enlist the support of family, friends and neighbors when things seem overwhelming.
9. Make time for family activities. A sense of belonging is enhanced when families take time to engage in common activities such as having meals together and sharing tasks and responsibilities. Use family time to discuss need and feelings, to solve problems and promote cooperation.
10. Teach your child right from wrong. A child's understanding of right and wrong develops slowly, from within. Actively teach your children a code of moral conduct and lay the groundwork for them to develop their own moral guide.


Mar 6, 2011

Friday... Sunday... or some other day!

I am late! I am late! For a very important date!!!  (Can't you just see me in a rabbit suit? I am pretty sure I fell down the rabbit hole.)  So, it is not at all Friday, but I'll be honest.  Friday was a day like no other and it has taken me til Sunday to recover.  Better late than never, I have a winner for the promised Tim Holtz Sizzix embossing folders.  And the winner is....



Sue P.!!!  Congrats!  (See that empty space above?  It was supposed to hold the video of the actual name draw.  After nearly two hours of watching blogger spin it's little wheels about it, I gave up and decided to post sans high-tech addition!)

Please email me your address and I will send this off to you:0)

Thanks to you all for signing up to follow this blog.  I solemnly swear the bloggers oath to regularly add something of interest.

Full work week for me- regular school Monday-Thursday and then I get to spend Friday as a student. (I am now on the other side and have to figure out where Avery can be for my professional development day, lol).  I'll be listening to Barbara Kaiser all day Friday. She speaks about dealing with young kids with challenging behaviour bringing in elements of neuroscience, psychology, social skills etc to help you understand why kids misbehave and what you can do about it.  If any parents are interested, she is speaking on Thursday March 10 at Broxton Park school (7pm).  It is a free session brought to you by the Parkland School District.

Mar 1, 2011

Good Dies Need a Loving Home!

As a final remnant from when I owned Scrapbooking Fanatics I have some Tim Holtz Sizzix dies left.  They were from an order that was abandoned and I already have them, so don't need more.  If you want to buy any of the following email me and I will send them off to you!  Prices include shipping and gst.

Bigz Die- Gadget Gears $20


Bigz Die- Tattered Leaves $20  SOLD

Sizzlits Decorative Strip- Paper Rosette $20 SOLD
On the Edge Die- Snow Flurries $15 SOLD


On the Edge Die- On the Fence $15 SOLD



Free!  To a lucky winner who follows my blog;0) 
I will make a draw on Friday March 4, 2011.