Doesn't this like tasty and refreshing? Can't wait for the summer fruits and veggies to come out; really want to eat more fresh produce. Thought of spring brings positive thoughts and plans. Looking for a new home. Kayaking. Parties on the deck. Hiking....

It is such a simple thing but when you can't sleep through the night, it's brutal. I have had two weeks off and not once have I been able to have a solid sleep. Wake up at least twice a night, taking a good hour to several hours to go back to sleep. Shiftwork is hard on the body. I have to get up in two hours for my dayshift and I'm exhausted before I even have started.

Blossom Grand is my new favorite font! Have done 12 pages this morning. All missing the journaling, but I tend to leave that to the end. Still, doesn't feel like I've made a dent with the pictures.

My tax refund came today and my credit card is oh so happy. :) It's a relief as things are pretty strapped for me, financially. Looks like I will have to sell my truck after all. Anyone interested in a beautiful Yukon???

A good day

Had a good day today.

Drove down to a nearby city (hour away) to meet up with some girlfriends for coffee at Starbucks. It is a treat for me to sit in Starbucks and have a coffee. And then, to add girlfriends to the mix, fantastic. Good for the soul. Really needed that girlfriend bonding.



Had a bit of retail therapy. Picked up some of those super cute mini acrylic stamps at Michaels. Found a dress for the retirement party. Got my SU order from my g/f. Was RAK'd by another girlfriend with some stamps; very fun. Went to a new scrapbooking store.



Tonight DD and I are having a movie night. Treated her to a new DVD: "Happy Feet"... so we're going to get set up in bed with popcorn and watch that tonight.



Tomorrow is going to be a pj scrapbooking day. Back to work Friday.


Oh and I had my first frappachino of the year today. Mocha light. ;)

Nine ways to find peace of mind at http://view.beliefnet.com/track.aspx?s=49363929&nl=34819&pos=4&url=http://www.beliefnet.com/story/124/story_12456_1.html%3FWT.mc_id%3DNL54

I don't know if I should post or what to post. I am so sad and hurt and confused.

Sunday my daughter was in a snowboarding accident at the local ski hill. Brought down by EHS to our ER department in full spinal precautions. Took my breath away seeing her like that. Tried to stay calm. Thank goodness she was wearing her helmet. She has headaches and nausea and her neck and back is stiff. Scarey. Not too long ago another teenager was hurt up at the same ski hill, no helmet, ran into a tree and now is a head injury patient. And I believe, a week after that, someone else died on the spot after running into a tree. This is the second concussion she has had in three months; I told her this morning, I think that's enough of snowboard season.

Yesterday was the meeting with the judge. Very disappointing, discouraging, and frustrating. It boils down to consequences to actions and taking responsibility; something I thought we always tried to teach our daughter. But no. Denial and lies continue. Now, we go to trial.

"If you spend your whole life waiting for the storm, you'll never enjoy the sunshine." Morris West

She's home. :-)

YUM

Loving this stamp set from http://www.mftstamps.com/ . There is a company that is putting out card kits at http://www.paperpretties.net/ . Looks fun.

"Have you ever thought about the power of having a purpose? Everyone needs something that gets them moving in the morning, keeps them going through the day, and makes them continue to work toward a goal. Take some time to think about the activities you are involved in and how they relate to your personal purpose. For the activities that don't serve your purpose, ask yourself why you continue with them. Perhaps you need to reevaluate your commitments and renew your conviction toward your purpose. " Spark

10 pages, in varying states of progress. All day. Feel "so so" about it. The photos laying all over the place is really overwhelming. So much to try and include, so little time. And I want it to be special and nicely done. Even though I'm a simple scrapbooker, I'm trying to be creative. And it's not the best time.

Or maybe a little cocktail dress? Everyone needs a LBD.

Or this???? :)

Can you see me in this? I need a new dress for an upcoming party.

What is more perfect on a miserable rainy day than a mocha in your favorite coffee mug? My girlfriend "S" gave it to me years ago and I just love it.


Spending the day in my pjs scrapbooking. Hoping to make a dent in the project. I think I nearly have all the pictures printed. Better get started.....

What to do when it is pouring down rain? Drink a Pina Colada!

Three generations went shopping yesterday. Good times.

We actually shopped separately but that was ok. Got some new things at Ikea, printer ink and paper I needed for the album, and then to my favorite LSS where I got the Fontwerks floral stamp set I wanted and a couple of QK Grand dies. I left without buying the Revolution. That was hard. I think it's cheaper online. For now, I will have to use the Zipemate.

Back home to scanning and printing. So many photo's to capture 40 years. I know what I will be doing all week-end.

Rain is miserable. You know it makes me just want to stay in bed all day.

I totally need this mug!

I am not a morning person. Totally not a morning person.

The morning routine is, when I wake up, I roll over to see if the dog is there. Yes, he is usually beside me, with his head sometimes on a pillow. Snoring, lots nowadays. He cuddles up for a scratch and we have a little chat. I know, I know, corny, but I love my dog. Then we both get up for bathroom breaks. I get my coffee and sit down to the computer to check my email. He stands and rests his head on my lap and I give him a scratch. I give him his medicine and a few treats and then he tends to stay out in the living room for awhile, somehow knowing I'm focusing on the computer. In awhile, he will come with out of his bones and then it is play time.

I love my boy.

The Single Scrapper By Maggie Koller
Recently in a scrapbooking class I taught, I shared a lot of personal insight about myself and my passion for scrapbooking. Afterward, a rather haughty woman walked up to me, eyebrows raised and a smug smile on her face. She asked me point-blank, "Why in the world do you scrapbook? It doesn't seem like you have much material without a family." I knew where the question was coming from, but it still made me wince. Ouch! I thought. You see, I'm happily single and child-free at the age of thirty, and during my class, I mentioned this. To most people, I don't fit the profile of a typical scrapbooker. Without children or a husband, I was seemingly a paradox to this woman. She seemed to wonder what memories I could possibly have to scrapbook in my life. In her mind, nothing was worth scrapbooking if it didn't include mass amounts of cootchie-coo babies or romantic weddings. She soon learned (and viewed in my scrapbook) that my life has been one amazing journey in itself; that the everyday moments in my life are just as important as pictures of a baby walking for the first time. Scrapbooking the single life has shown me how fabulous it is to be a single lady in the new millennium. There are New Year's parties, college parties, homecoming parties (okay, there have been lots of fun parties). There are also my best friends and their weddings that I've proudly stood up in, nights of karaoke and an unforgettable time we all went tubing down the Ausable River. My trips with friends to Chicago, Toronto, Disney World and Las Vegas remind me of my carefree spirit and love of travel. Scenes of each and every trip bring me back to the memories we made on those wonderful days. Every time I flip through the pages, I smile at the time we all posed with bronze statues around the city of Chicago, or the time we all gaped down at the Colorado River from high atop Hoover Dam. I blush when I recall that trip to Las Vegas where . . . well, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, right? Unknown to this haughty lady, being single doesn't mean that nothing happens in my life. In fact, my life has been one scrapbook page after another. In 2001, I literally walked out of a job as a corporate buyer to choose a life of poverty (and complete happiness) as a student in education. After four years of struggling and scrimping, I am now a teacher. In those four years of school, I photographed my first apartment, my fancy SUV - which I traded in for a practical and economical minivan - the buildings around my college campus, my friends and I having TV nights, my mentors that I've encountered along the way and the satisfied feeling of being home, which I experienced the first time I set foot in a classroom as a student teacher. I've preserved what it means to be an educator and the powerful feeling of care and compassion that I hold in my heart for each and every student who enters my classroom. Those are the babies and weddings of my life. Being single is not an exclusive experience. I'm not the first person ever to be single; I'm just one of the few people who scrapbook about it. I've embraced scrapbooking about those bad dates, bad jobs and all-around bad days I've had as a single woman. They've shown me the character that I've built through each experience. I've learned that my own family, which consists of my parents and my brother, is one fantastic group of people - equally as important as a family I would create for myself. Capturing our special family traditions of miniature golf, traveling to our cottage in northern Michigan, Christmas celebrations and family reunions has taught me the importance of preserving the environment that is unique to me. My world is filled with experiences, the ache of a broken heart and the hurt of losing a job, but also the excitement of new possibilities and endless adventures in my single life. After the haughty woman put down one of my albums, she looked at me and said, "Well, I still think it would be nice for you to have some family to scrapbook." As she walked away, I shook my head and smiled, realizing that you can't win with some people. But that's okay. I've got too much scrapbooking to do to worry about it.

"Cheating to get ahead might get you the grade or promotion, but in the long run it really sets you back. Intelligence, creativity, hard work, and solid character--the things that propel you forward--are not fostered by taking the easy way out. You don't earn anything by short-cutting your work. You're only cutting your potential short. Sure you might feel relieved that a stressful task has passed, but an undeserving sense of relief doesn't compare to the gratification of knowing that you completed your own work. If something in your life is difficult, meet it head on and earn the satisfaction of earning a job well done--with honesty and integrity. " Spark

Did I mention I was on vacation?

Did I mention I'm going to Ikea and my favorite scrapbooking store tomorrow?

Did I mention that I only have three weeks to get this album done?

Did I mention that I finally vacuumed the upstairs, cleaned the kitchen and my bathroom?

Yep. :)

This is the birthday card I made for my dear girlfriend who had her 30th birthday last week. Technique Tuesday stamps, Basic Gray, Bazzill cardstock and I think, Autumn Leave arylic stamp using versamark.

A girlfriend sent this picture last night, one of many of dogs and coordinating kids. Cute huh? We had an Irish Setter when I was growing up and he was a beautiful dog.

My girlfriend "A" left with her family yesterday for a three month sabbatical. They really really deserve it and I hope it is everything they thought and need. They will be missed, that is for sure.

My dad helped me with my income tax statement yesterday. I think next year I will be able to do it all on my own. Online program wasn't too bad at all.

Scrapbooked most of yesterday and plan to do the same today. Slow going. I want the pages to be perfect and special, yet I have hundreds of photo's to include and only a few weeks to get it done. AND, I still don't have all the photo's I need. I'm going to be doing some picture taking this afternoon.

Sleeping like crap. Headaches are pounding.

Had in impulse buy yesterday. I will post the picture when it arrives. And the story. :)

1. Men are like ...Laxatives ....... They irritate the crap out of you.

2. Men are like. Bananas . The older they get, the less firm they are.

3. Men are like ......Weather .. Nothing can be done to change them.

4. Men are like .Blenders You need One, but you're not quite sure why.

5. Men are like .....Chocolate Bars .... Sweet, smooth, & they usually head right for your hips.

6. Men are like ....Commercials ....... You can't believe a word they say.

7. Men are like Department Stores ..... Their clothes are always 1/2 off.

8. Men are like ......Government Bonds .... They take soooooooo long to mature.

9. Men are like ..Mascara .. They usually run at the first sign of emotion.

10. Men are like Popcorn . They satisfy you, but only for a little while.

11. Men are like Snowstorms ..... You never know when they're coming, how many inches you'll get or how long it will last.

12. Men are like ........Lava Lamps .... Fun to look at, but not very bright.

13. Men are like Parking Spots ... All the good ones are taken, the rest are handicapped.

Birthday Boy

My Birthday Boy. 11 years old today. Such a good friend. Always affectionate, happy to see you. Loyal. Above picture is of him and I cuddling this morning with his head on my belly. Love him.

Happy to have a new "birthday bone".

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Howard Thurman

Well I did something this afternoon that I haven't done in a long time. Years. Did escort duty to the nearest trauma center. Code 3. Lights, sirens, high speed. In the pouring rain. The drive is normally an hour and 40 minutes. We made it in 67 minutes. Yes, I think my stomach is back somewhere on the highway.

Going to kick back now with a lovely chocolate martini.

New acrylic stamps by www.fancypantsdesigns.com . This one is 12x12!!! LOVE it. Have to HAVE it.

I like these art cards from Ikea! Optimistic and cheerful.

update on me

A few friends have complained that I don't write enough about me and they hate the "stupid" quotes I keep putting on my blog. LOL. I've always liked inspirational quotes and poems, so they will keep getting posted.

I got off nights Friday morning and slept for a whopping 1.5 hours. Got up, visited my parents and then had lunch with the "chicks". Good for the soul. Then a relaxing pedicure. Total healthcare for my feet. Very early to bed.

The weekend has been very lazy. Slowly doing housework, laundry, chores. Took the dog for a walk in the rain yesterday (yuck, I hate it) with my mom and he was exhausted afterwards. Doesn't take long nowadays to wear him out; he slept/snored for hours, afterwards.

Have the whole week off and am starting to fill up my days with stuff to do.

DD came over for a visit yesterday. Good to see her, sad that it was a "visit" and that she hasn't come home.

Been looking online at townhomes. Getting good ideas of what I like and don't like. Can't wait to have the divorce finalized and get on with a fresh new life.

"It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver." Mohandas Ghandi

"Just living isn't enough," said the butterfly, "one must also have freedom, sunshine, and a little flower." Hans Christian Anderson

Happy St Patrick's Day

"Eating dessert first is about having the good stuff first. Don't save it for a rainy day. Don't wait until tomorrow. Don't wait until you are the right weight, until your nails are the perfect length, until every issue in your life is worked out, until you have the right amount of money in the bank. Do it now. Many people spend their lives waiting, waiting to get married, waiting to finish school, waiting to have kids, waiting until their children are grown, waiting until they retire ... waiting, waiting, waiting. All we have is now. The past is over, and the future lives in our imagination. Now is the precious present, a gift that contains all the power that ever was and ever will be. It is up to us to savor and delight in the present moment, to approach our life as a glorious magnificent buffet and to reach for and enjoy the feast before us. So this week, eat dessert first and as you eat it, enjoy it; truly. This is the recipe for peace and happiness. " Beliefnet

"Adversity is another way to measure the greatness of individuals. I never had a crisis that didn't make me stronger." Lou Holtz

from my friend "infogodess'" website... what I've done will be in red

1. Bought everyone in the bar a drink

2. Swam with dolphins

3. Climbed a mountain

4. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive

5. Been inside the Great Pyramid

6. Held a tarantula

7. Taken a candle lit bath with someone

8. Said "I love you" and meant it

9. Hugged a tree

10. Bungee jumped

11. Visited Paris

12. Watched a lightning storm at sea

13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise

14. Seen the Northern Lights

15. Gone to a huge sports game

16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa

17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables

18. Touched an iceberg

19. Slept under the stars

20. Changed a baby's diaper

21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon

22. Watched a meteor shower

23. Gotten drunk on champagne

24. Given more than you can afford to charity

25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope

26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment

27. Had a food fight

28. Bet on a winning horse

29. Asked out a stranger

30. Had a snowball fight

31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can

32. Held a lamb

33. Seen a total eclipse

34. Ridden a roller coaster

35. Hit a home run

36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking

37. Adopted an accent for an entire day

38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment

39. Had two hard drives for your computer

40. Visited all 50 states

41. Taken care of someone who was shit faced

42. Had amazing friends

43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country

44. Watched wild whales

45. Stolen a sign

46. Backpacked in Europe

47. Taken a road-trip

48. Gone rock climbing

49. Midnight walk on the beach

50. Gone sky diving

51. Visited Ireland

52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love

53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger's table and had a meal with them

54. Visited Japan

55. Milked a cow

56. Alphabetized your CDs

57. Pretended to be a superhero

58. Sung karaoke

59. Lounged around in bed all day

60. Posed nude in front of strangers

61. Gone scuba diving

62. Kissed in the rain

63. Played in the mud

64. Played in the rain

65. Gone to a drive-in theater

66. Visited the Great Wall of China

67. Started a business

68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken

69. Toured ancient sites

70. Taken a martial arts class

71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight

72. Gotten married

73. Been in a movie

74. Crashed a party

75. Gotten divorced

76. Gone without food for 5 days

77. Made cookies from scratch

78. Won first prize in a costume contest

79. Ridden a gondola in Venice

80. Gotten a tattoo

81. Rafted the Snake River

82. Been on television news programs as an expert

83. Got flowers for no reason

84. Performed on stage

85. Been to Las Vegas

86. Recorded music

87. Eaten shark

88. Eaten fugu (pufferfish)

89. Had a one-night stand

90. Gone to Thailand

91. Bought a house

92. Been in a combat zone

93. Buried one/both of your parents

94. Been on a cruise ship

95. Spoken more than one language fluently

96. Performed in Rocky Horror Picture Show

97. Raised children

98. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour

99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country

100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over

101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge

102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn't stop when you knew someone was looking

103. Had plastic surgery

104. Survived an accident that you shouldn't have survived

105. Wrote articles for a large publication(do letters to the editor count?)

106. Lost over 100 pounds (45.5 kilograms)

107. Held someone while they were having a flashback

108. Piloted an airplane

109. Petted a stingray

110. Broken someone's heart

111. Ridden a bike

112. Won money on a T.V. game show

113. Broken a bone

114. Gone on an African photo safari

115. Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced

116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol

117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild

118. Ridden a horse

119. Had surgery

120. Had a snake as a pet

121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon

122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours

123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states

124. Visited all 7 continents

125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days... does whitewater rafting count???

126. Eaten kangaroo meat

127. Eaten sushi

128. Had your picture in the newspaper

129. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about

130. Gone back to school

131. Para sailed

132. Petted a cockroach

133. Eaten fried green tomatoes

134. Read The Iliad and The Odyssey

135. Selected one important author who you missed in school, and read

136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

137. Skipped all your school reunions

138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language

139. Been elected to public office

140. Written your own computer language

141. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream

142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care

143. Built your own PC from parts

144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you

145. Had a booth at a street fair

146. Dyed your hair

147. Been a DJ

148. Shaved your head

149. Caused a car accident

150. Saved someone's life

Yum. Raspberry Cheesecake. Again, Yum.

My nightshift last night was much better. Still too many patients, but I managed. One more night to go.

Work is absolute HELL. I came on shift yesterday to 200% occupancy. I don't know how much more we can handle/cope. I feel physically ill thinking about going back to work.

Have come to some decisions about the rest of my life. I am so unhappy here, now. I need a fresh start.

So, I just took a 20 question quiz on www.beliefnet.com and this is what they say I am:

1.
Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (100%)
2.
Liberal Quakers (92%)
3.
Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (83%)
4.
Unitarian Universalism (82%)
5.
Orthodox Quaker (81%)
6.
Bahá'í Faith (79%)
7.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (79%)
8.
Eastern Orthodox (75%)
9.
Roman Catholic (75%)
10.
Jehovah's Witness (72%)
11.
Orthodox Judaism (71%)
12.
Sikhism (71%)
13.
Seventh Day Adventist (67%)
14.
Reform Judaism (62%)
15.
Neo-Pagan (58%)
16.
Islam (57%)
17.
Secular Humanism (55%)
18.
New Age (53%)
19.
Hinduism (46%)
20.
Theravada Buddhism (46%)
21.
Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (43%)
22.
Mahayana Buddhism (40%)
23.
Jainism (40%)
24.
Taoism (35%)
25.
Nontheist (34%)
26.
New Thought (33%)
27.
Scientology (26%)

What Liberal Protestants Believe
Central tenets of this faith, based on the questions in the Belief-O-Matic quiz.


More on Liberal Protestants
Protestant Section
Related Links
Christianity Message Boards
See What Others Believe Atheism and Agnosticism Baha'i Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism, Theravada Christianity (choose from below) •Catholic •Protestant, Conservative •Protestant, Liberal •Eastern Orthodox •Latter-day Saint •Christian Science •Jehovah's Witness •Quaker, Liberal •Quaker, Orthodox •Seventh-day Adventist Hinduism Islam Jainism Judaism, Orthodox Judaism, Reform Neo-Paganism New Age New Thought Scientology Secular Humanism Sikhism Taoism Unitarian Universalism Also sometimes referred to as secular, modern, or humanistic. This is an umbrella term for Protestant denominations, or churches within denominations, that view the Bible as the witness of God rather than the word of God, to be interpreted in its historical context through critical analysis. Examples include some churches within Anglican/Episcopalian, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, and United Church of Christ. There are more than 2,000 Protestant denominations offering a wide range of beliefs from extremely liberal to mainline to ultra-conservative and those that include characteristics on both ends.
•
Belief in DeityTrinity of the Father (God), the Son (Christ), and the Holy Spirit that comprises one God Almighty. Many believe God is incorporeal.
•
IncarnationsBeliefs vary from the literal to the symbolic belief in Jesus Christ as God's incarnation. Some believe we are all sons and daughters of God and that Christ was exemplary, but not God.
•
Origin of Universe and LifeThe Bible's account is symbolic. God created and controls the processes that account for the universe and life (e.g. evolution), as continually revealed by modern science.
•
After DeathGoodness will somehow be rewarded and evil punished after death, but what is most important is how you show your faith and conduct your life on earth.
•
Why Evil?Most do not believe that humanity inherited original sin from Adam and Eve or that Satan actually exists. Most believe that God is good and made people inherently good, but also with free will and imperfect nature, which leads some to immoral behavior.
•
SalvationVarious beliefs: Some believe all will go to heaven, as God is loving and forgiving. Others believe salvation lies in doing good works and no harm to others, regardless of faith. Some believe baptism is important. Some believe the concept of salvation after death is symbolic or nonexistent.
•
Undeserved SufferingMost Liberal Christians do not believe that Satan causes suffering. Some believe suffering is part of God's plan, will, or design, even if we don't immediately understand it. Some don't believe in any spiritual reasons for suffering, and most take a humanistic approach to helping those in need.
•
Contemporary IssuesMost churches teach that abortion is morally wrong, but many ultimately support a woman's right to choose, usually accompanied by policies to provide counseling on alternatives. Many are accepting of homosexuality and gay rights.

Must. Have.

Fun???

I need a new bed. A queen. I LOVE this Starbust Canopy log bed.

http://www.vikinglogfurniture.com/index_files/Page746.html

http://www.212movie.com

Wow.

What a long night. The rain and the wind didn't stop. I didn't sleep. I feel like crap. Afraid to look outside to see what kind of damage there is to the house.

I had a great day.

It started off with the fact that I slept for a solid seven hours. What a difference that makes.

Picked up my girlfriend, grabbed some Starbucks and then we went shopping! It was pouring down rain but it was good to get out and do some window browsing. Sometimes window browsing turns into buying, but that is ok. I am very pleased with my new stemware. They are so cheery. Got all kinds of decorating ideas. Got the album for the surprise project and I will try to start on it tomorrow. Printing off pictures as we speak.

Had a nice lunch at Milestones. Love their four cheese burgers with garlic. Yum.

Ended my day by doing a big grocery shop. Was busier than I expected and was kind of a drag. They've changed things around in the store and I'm having a tough time finding things.

Now home and have emptied out the truck. Totally soaked. I might have a bath. Got my glasses in the dishwasher, can't wait to try them out. Still full from our late lunch. House still needs to be cleaned, but, *gasp*, I might leave it for next week-end!

These bring me joy. All 8 of them. :)

Slept SEVEN hours straight!!!

Went for a nice walk with my mom and the dog. Weather changed on us and we got rained on. The dog didn't care. He was so happy to get out and run and run. He's now resting very soundly on his blanket.

Slowly working on the chores. Would much rather nap.

Circle of Friends candle from Red Envelope.

Can't you see me lounging on this day bed from Restoration Hardware?

Aren't these glasses fun? They are from Pier 1.

1. Work is out of control. RN to patient ratio too high. Stressful. Feeling very frustrated.
2. BP improved at Doctor's visit.
3. Asked to do another surprise project, due in four weeks. More pressure and stress. Something I couldn't say no to.
4. DD hasn't decided about her living status. Been two months since she moved into her father's full time. I HATE this situation. It's so unnatural for a mother not to have her child with her. Miss her so much.
5. First week of the Self Challenge didn't go so well. First two days I did well and then work became a gong show and I ate comfort food and didn't have healthy food selections in the house.
6. My ankle is bothering me more and more.
7. Sleeping like crap. CRAZY dreams.
8. Today need to clean house, do laundry, tidy up scrapbooking room. Tomorrow, might go down to the city to do a grocery shop and maybe some retail therapy I can't afford.
9. Have lots of scanning of old photo's to do for the surprise album.
10. Need to file income tax and hopefully have a decent return.

Need new dress for vacation.

A woman's best friend. Loyal. Affectionate.

From Pier 1. A project desk. Think it would be similar to what I might want for the new scrapbooking studio. Do I want a desk or an island?

A little "awww" for your day.

"Positive people are almost always natural leaders and motivators. People gravitate towards them, just as they avoid individuals who continually mope or complain. Take a look at your own attitude. Is it one that others would want to emulate in their own lives? Instead of jumping to throw in a negative comment, try to think of something good to say instead. By no means hold in your feelings, but remember that no one likes to be surrounded by constant pessimism. Attitudes are contagious so fill your environment with happiness, enthusiasm, and optimism! " Spark

LOVE this new floral stamp set by Fontwerks! Yum! http://www.fontwerks.com

My "Bella" stamps arrived on Friday. Can't wait to play with them. You can find them at: http://www.stampingbella.com/

My nephew that took the dog out yesterday, phoned to tell me that he broke his foot! Fell while dirtbiking. Now in a cast and using crutches. What a bummer! Heal quickly Z!

Am liking the colour of these dishes...

Ok, what's wrong with THIS picture? The dog is NOT on the bed!!!

My nephew took my boy for a nice long walk yesterday, during the party. My dog came home wiped out. Got on the bed once but two more attempts resulted in him wiping out onto the floor. So, back to how we started, a blanket at the end of the bed. He's been laying there for most of the day, sore and tired. Hopefully he'll be up for a walk tomorrow.

a silly self portrait

"Even if you've never seen it, you are probably aware of the CBS reality show Survivor--sixteen castaways sent to live on an island to duke it out and vote one another off for a million dollar prize. What is most striking about this concept is not the competition, but the absolute gratitude these people hold for things we take for granted everyday. The dirty, unpurified water they cling to for life is the same stuff we flush, wash, and cook with everyday without batting an eye. They covet and fight for food that we could easily pop in our microwaves or sit down at a restaurant to order. The very fact that you can read this at your computer signifies that you are one of the most wealthy, educated persons on the planet. Take a moment to think about the luxurious and privileged life you live. Give thanks for a whole body, everyday freedoms, your family, and all of the choices you have. Cherish what you have while you have it because you never know when your life could change. " Spark

"There is an undeniable link between feeling healthy and feeling happy. When was the last time you had the flu, a migraine, or heartburn and felt joyful at the same time? While many of us would agree that there is a relationship between our internal workings and our feelings of happiness, many of us don't take active steps toward living a healthy, positive life. How can we meet our goals when our body isn't feeling up to par? Tiredness, aches and pains, and feeling under the weather can all be big hindrances to our goals. It is very important that we nourish our bodies with adequate amounts of the right foods, condition ourselves to maintain and build strong bones and muscles, rest properly at night, and generally adhere to a healthy regimen if we expect to feel positive emotions. " Spark

A Norweigan wedding cake. Made with ground almonds and eggwhites; like a biscotti type of "cake".

What a busy, but great few days!

Got off nights Thursday and slept for a bit and then got up and started cleaning house and setting up the dining room and kitchen. White table cloths, gold candle tapers and gold tealights and "50" gold sparkles.

Friday I went down the valley to pick up the Norweigan wedding cake and then did a few other errands as well as a little treat shopping for myself at Precious Memories. :)

Picked up my parents and we drove to a nearby 5 star resort to have dinner in their restaurant. They had a live band playing as well, so there was so fun entertainment with that. None of us are really used to the type of meals on the menu (or the prices) but we all were happy with our choices except for my oldest nephew who ordered macaroni and cheese from the children's menu and got Kraft Dinner!!! The band came and serenaded my parents which was pretty cool and then they played a song for them and my mom and dad got up and had a dance. I wasn't sure if my dad would do it, but he did and I got pictures and video footage. When they came and sat down, both of my nephews "high fived" their grandfather! I think it was a memorable night for us all. Even asked a stranger to take pictures of our whole family by the foyer fireplace and they turned out not too badly.

Saturday morning we did more cleaning and I had to pick up the meat'n'cheese platters and the black forest cake. We ended up with about 30 people here and my mom was quite surprised. It was really really good. :) I was busy running around making sure everyone had something to drink and eat, so I didn't get as many pictures as I had hoped. Can you imagine! My parents were impressed with all their government letters of congratulations; Premier, Prime Minister, MLA, Governor General, Mayor of the town they were married in, in Norway ,etc. After they were done opening my mom said to me "you forgot someone" and I asked "who". She said "our mayor". I said, "oh he is coming at 4!" You should have seen her face. And he did come and presented my parents with a plaque from the town. So that was fun too. There was lots of laughter and visiting going on and I know my parents had a really good time.

It was all so worth it.

They loved the scrapbook album I did. All the guests passed it around and looked too. I will be adding the cards and the letters and the pictures, once I get them developed. Again, so worth it.

Today is a day of rest. A PJ day. I might do a load of laundry or two and I do have to clean up the kitchen but other than that, I'm taking it easy. My girlfriends are coming over for a visit in the afternoon and I'm really looking forward to that.

Oh, and a subject change. I've had a few people ask about the bruise. It wasn't my urine I slipped in!!!! It was a patient's! Some old men just like to pee on the floor. The bruise is a nasty yellow now and has spread out further and is quite tender.

Going to go and see what pictures I can share....

On the way to the anniversary dinner. Prettier than the last picture? *wink*

1. This is what happens when you slip in urine and fall down at work.

2. Days and days of headaches? Hmm check BP. 202/100. Not good. What was it I said about the stress killing me?

3. It snowed. Bad timing.