Layout #174

Sweet & Sleepy by Haley Ross

What the heck happened to my camera? I can't take a good picture to save my life. These layout pics are blurry & I cant seem to fix that.... I am so frustrated. Anyway, this paper pack was given to my by Erin Aumack who is my go-to gal for all things Close To My Heart. I love it! What a nice baby gift (something for me!).

Materials: Patterned Paper, Cardstock & Stickers: Close To My Heart; Chipboard Flowers: Heidi Swapp; Letters: Lil' Davis; Cricut Cartridge: Calligraphy Collection; Pen: Ek Success Zig Writer.

10 Things I love About Canada

(Well, this will be easy...)

1. Niagara Falls. Have you been? If not, you should go. It's breathtaking. Travel Tip: Don't wear a white shirt like I did (above), the mist is so thick that I had a wet shirt after about 10 minutes of standing at the edge. Oops.

2. Freedom. And the kind of freedom that doesn't cause pain. When Anne Coulter (*shudder) came to Canada enough students showed up to protest at the University of Ottawa that they cancelled her 'talk'. While we accept, promote & protect free speech, we also are smart enough to know that freedom can quickly become negative when it promotes hate. I was saddened that Fox news (albeit not surprised) made it sound like Canadians have no real Freedom. We do. And when the majority of us show up & ask someone we see as 'hateful' to leave, THAT is us exercising that freedom. If complete freedom allows someone to say hurtful & painful things in a PLACE/forum where they are not wanted, it's not working. I like that although we have a freedom of speech, we can't abuse that freedom at the cost of others. If people want to be hateful & hurtful, they can do so in their own hateful communities and forums... and not in my school, front yard or community. I am proud of our 'Happy Medium' so stuff it Fox News.
3. Winter. As paralyzing as it can be, I love winter. I believe winter has given us a large part of our culture. I rarely feel more Canadian than when I am on the slopes, shoveling the driveway or checking the weather channel.
4. Land. I can't say it's all 'exciting'. I drive 8 hours to our cabin in Saskatchewan & let me tell you, parts of that drive are Borrrrr-ing. But you can't argue that the amount of land we have is impressive. Even in Saskatchewan, looking up & seeing no end to it all, I am impressed. I makes me feel like part of something BIG.


5. Diversity. I have friends who are Canadian but also call themselves Lebanese, Chinese & Indian. I like that you can be both.
6. Acceptance. I lived with a lesbian couple for a year when I was in Australia, as much as they loved each other, they could not be married. I wondered how their country felt they had the right to decide that. Whether you support gay marriage (I do), abortion, or other controversial human rights issues is up to you, I am proud of Canada for putting the decisions in the hands of the people. Our politicians are busy running our country not our lives. I am proud of that.

7. Our place. I don't mean our home... I mean our 'global standing'. I am proud of Canada. We don't claim internationally to be the best, we can accept that 'the best' comes in all shapes & forms. We don't boast that we are 'The most powerful country on Earth'. And, with the exception of Fox News (haha!) I think the world views us just about how we would like them to. We are independent, we don't require a lot of assistance and we are happy to assist, but we won't compromise our values.

8. We take care of each other. To the best of our ability we will take care of our own. We know how important health care is and understand that it is a basic RIGHT. Can you imagine not having that? I know it's hard for Americans who have gone to long without it to suddenly try to imagine a different way, but I think it can work for them too. I hope it can. I'd like to see our neighbors taking care of each other as well.

9. Funny words. One thing I love about traveling is learning the uniqie slang each country has. Stop and think about ours for a moment. We call a one dollar coin and Loonie. Bizzare. And then there's a toonie. Here's a couple more; Homo Milk, Ginch, Pencil Crayon, Pop, BunnyHug & Tuque.

10. Canadian wine. I am so exciting that some of the most talented wine makers are setting up shop right next door. I can't wait to hit up the Okanagan this year & see what the years best brings.

*Sigh*

I laughed when I saw this picture....

But when the laughter stopped, I just felt depressed.

I don't want to turn this into a weight loss blog, there are enough of them out there. But I do want to share with you my thoughts, that's what this blog is for.

I've had 2 babies. I love them. But OH MY GOSH did they ever kill my once average body. I wasn't skinny when I got pregnant with Miles. And I didn't loose all of the weight I gained with Miles before I found myself pregnant with Molly. Last week when I stepped on the scale, for some reason, I was surprised to see that I was heavier than ever. Then, in what can only be described as a complete melt-down, I saw an unflattering picture of myself. It looked as though my bum was eating my shorts in an attempt to get even with my body for making it carry around a 'spare tire'. Tragic. I'm almost relieved that the picture was only taken from behind & so unable to address the disaster that is my stomach. I suddenly (within a matter of moments) became aware of my body. I was uncomfortable, which annoyed me. And I was, no, I am big. Bigger than I would like to be. Bigger than I am OK with. And I start to look at other woman and wonder "Am I bigger or smaller than her?" How is it that I am so out of touch with my body when pregnancy put me so IN-touch with it? *Sigh*

So I set myself a weight-loss goal. It's a weekly goal. And this week I met that goal. And I almost cried. Because it was hard. I had to give up drinks while camping (and a nacho dip that looked FABULOUS), I had to run & I had to think about my body. *Sigh*

How, when I hate this process so much, do I make myself succeed?

How do I find the time? How do I make this a priority when I am the only beneficiary? How does everyone else succeed in this part of their life?

*Sigh*

Layout #172

...holding you by Haley Ross
I was trying to make a pink page that was suitable for baby pictures & deal with the black in Brian's shirt... this is what happened.
I am really enjoying scrapbooking during the day. It's making me set goals. Get the dishes done = scrapbook. Finish laundry = scrapbook. I am getting lots done both in scrapbooking & housework. Love it.
Materials: Patterned Paper: Crate Paper; Buttons: American Crafts, Tim Holtz & Autumn Leaves; Rub-ons: American Crafts; Floss: Bazzill Basics.

Layout #171

The Apple of my Eye by Haley Ross
I don't feel like this layout is done? Any suggestions?

Materials: Patterned Paper, Stickers & Die-cuts: October Afternoon; Rub-ons: Scrapworks; Alphabet Stickers: Thickers by American Crafts; Pen: Zig Writer by EK Success.

Layout #170

Full of Beans by Haley Ross
(inspired by.... ok, knocked off from Michelle Gier)
I used an actual bean tin label and I think it looks super cute. I am also so excited to finally use this old Basic Grey paper, it's cute huh?
Materials: Patterned Paper: Basic Grey; Journaling Spots: Jillibean Soup; Alphabet Stickers: Doodlebug Designs; Epoxy tag: Making Memories; Pen: Zig Writer by EK Success.

Love.

Brian & I use to go to Just For Laughs (Juste por rire)in Montreal every year. We have seen some fabulous comedians. Fabulous. Some of my past favourites include Lewis Black, Russell Peters, John Pinette, Debra DiGiovanni & Wayne Brady. I've also seen some highly over rated acts like Tim Allen (who was horrible) and Emo Phillips (Whaaaat?). My absolute favourite is when you discover a comedian who is just getting started. We were lucky enough to see Dane Cook before he was HUGE. In fact, I had to order his CD on his website as it wasn't available anywhere yet... Anyway, when I see skits from Just For Laughs I always miss our annual trips (which we haven't done since having kids). Tonight I saw this guy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtXzN1C2lCc

Arj Barker. Love him & so wish I had seen him live.

"I don't like Humans at all, I think we're the worst."

That kills me. I love & appreciate a comedian who can find 'funny' in the everyday. I think anyone can made Sex, Drugs & Alcohol funny. Big deal. And complaining about the opposite sex seems like a "gimmie" as well. But I think someone is genius when they can make you laugh while discussing the Solar System or the Kool-Aid man. I'm also not easily offended (hence my love of all things Chelsea Handler & Sarah Silverman). That being said, bad comedy can be offensive on it's own. Good comedy.... there's nothing better.

"There's like 150 people on Google a day."

10 Randoms.

I love weekends. Seems obvious huh? Most people like weekends. I love them.

10 Ways I Spent My Weekend

1. In the sun. Today we had breakfast on our deck & it was beautiful out there. (By 'breakfast' I mean 'Brunch', it was 2pm by the time we ate).

(Molly relaxing without any harmful UV rays that I am so addicted to.)

2. Ordering a cake from Marble Slab Creamery for Miles' 2nd Birthday. Brian won a free cake certificate in his last hockey tournament. Awesome. Now I don't have to make one (or feel bad about not making one) or pay for one.

3. At the Rusty Cage until 3am. I had such a great time celebrating my sister Kendra's 26th Birthday. I danced, drank, danced & even drank.

4. Cleaning..... our new-to-us Tent Trailer! Best time I've had cleaning in a long time... Brian & I got a new Tent Trailer this week. We are so pumped & we have 2 camping trips already scheduled!

5. Making Lists. Of things I need to buy to put in our new Trailer. I actually have a lot of camping stuff already (including my mom's vintage Tupperware dishes) but it was fun to head out to Superstore & load up on new things to fill it up!

6. Drinking Big Rock Lime beer in the Tent Trailer.

7. Playing cards in the Tent Trailer.

8. Staying up late talking about all of the fun we are going to have in our new Tent Trailer.

9. At the grand opening of the new SPRAY PARK (!) in Okotoks. It was great. And it's fun to see kids having such a good time. There were kids of all ages there & none of them seemed to have a care in the world (even though it was only 16 degrees and the wind was a bit nippy). What a great place.

Hey, did I mention we got a Tent Trailer this weekend???

10. Working out. I have finally started again. I know I was given the "good to go" when Molly was 6 weeks old, but I just didn't have it in me. Now I do. Maybe it's that swimsuit season is looming or maybe I just have a little more energy, either way, I gotta get this big butt in gear ;)

Layout #169

Love You 4 Ever by Haley Ross
I have been dying (dying) to use this line since it was released, oh, 4 years ago. It's by Brenda Walton for K&Co. and I just love it. So I stashed it away for years, hoping someday I would have a reason to use it. Molly is that reason. Isn't it beautiful? I got the layout idea from Scrapbooks Etc. but I changed it up & I am so happy with it. Simple & Elegant.

Materials: Patterned Paper: Scenic Route & K&Co.; Stickers, Grand Adhesions & Chipboard: K&Co.; Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Pen: EK Success Zig Writer.

Layout #168

Sweet Love by Haley Ross
Materials: Patterned Paper:Making Memories & Creative Imaginations; Cardstock: Bazzill Basics: Photo Flips: Close To My Heart; Ribbon: May Arts; Epoxy Charm & Clear Frame: Making Memories; Metals Charm & Alphabet Stickers: K& Co.

Layout #167

Hello World by Haley Ross
This layout is boring. And I think I feel like it's incomplete because it has no journaling.
Materials: Paper: BoBunny; Die-Cut: My Minds Eye; Faux Wooden flowers: Lil' Davis; Buttons: American Crafts.

Layout #166

Kiss by Haley Ross
More of the beautiful pictures Michelle Gier took for me when Molly was born. I feel so blessed to have them. I used some old Basic Grey paper on this layout, I've actually been using up a lot of old stuff lately. With the exception of the cardstock pad the other day, I haven't really been adding to my 'stash'. And because I have been scrapbooking a bunch, it feels like my supplies are starting to thin out (!). I can only hope... for now, it just feels good to be adding to my albums, no matter how simple or old the layouts are.

Materials: Patterned Paper: Basic Grey; Frame & Transparency Piece: My Minds Eye; Flowers: Prima; Ribbon: Unknown; Alphabet Stickers: Making Memories; Button: American Crafts.