Layout #194

Sit by Haley Ross

I used some ooooold product on this layout. The leather frame , fabric tabs & stickers are super old, like older than 5 years.Yay.. And I have a bone to pick with American Crafts: WHY don't your vinyl alphabet stickers stay stuck? So annoying, I put them on & they fall off. I even glue-dotted them onto the page & they started to lift. Brutal.

Also, does anyone else think it's weird that I tilted the last picture (far right) so much? I think I have to go back & change that. Funny how I didn't notice until just now. It looks lop-sided.

I miss scrapbooking. Its been slow lately. Molly doesn't just lay around & sleep anymore, she's a little more demanding, so naturally my scrapbooking has suffered. I scrapped with Michelle for a bit this morning & it was nice, but chaotic with 3 boys & Molly.

I am super excited for the cropping I have coming. I always fill my Autumn full of crops. I have a day-long crop at the Lakeview Inn this month, a retreat to Coleman next month, a retreat in Pincher Creek in November & a crop day in November & December... lucky me. That's one weekend of every month. You may think I feel guilty from being away from my kids that much.... you're wrong. I miss them, but there is NO guilt. I need ME time... besides, hockey season is upon us...

Materials: Patterned Paper: My Minds Eye; Stickers, Brad & Ribbon: Making Memories; Fabric Tabs: Scrapworks; Frame: EK Success; Alphabet Stickers: Thickers by American Crafts; Cardstock: Bazzill Basics.

These are my confessions...

I like stuff.

There are some things I am proud of (My kids, my marriage, my brain) & then there are things that I hide. I have skeletons in my closet. No, I literally have skeletons in my closet. At least 7 that I can think of off the top of my head (all Halloween decor of course...)

I'm a hoarder. I am. I didn't think I was. I thought I was a 'collector'. But collectors can generally park their car in their garage & walk around in their basement. I couldn't do those things. And I think on some level I always knew it was not OK. Only my closest friends & family ever saw my basement. And then I got pregnant with Molly & I was suddenly aware of all my 'stuff'. I was aware that in order to fit Molly into our lives, some of my 'stuff' would have to go. And as I began to pack up my scrapbook room I was struggling to part with things, even things I didn't use. And even worse, I had to find somewhere to move all of my stuff to. It was a disaster. And one day my mom said to me "Haley, if you don't get this done before Molly comes, you'll never get it done." And I was hurt. I felt she was right. So when I made barely any progress & suddenly Molly had arrived, I sort of gave up for a while. And then I got cable. And I saw the show Hoarders. And Wowsers. It inspired me.

So I've been cleaning (that's an understatement). And I somewhere amongst all the stuff, I made a breakthrough. I was tossing things away at a breakneck pace. And finally, I can see progress.


It's really not hard to be a Hoarder & a Scrapbooker. The two really do go hand-in-hand. My focus now, and for the past 2 years, has been to use what I have. And it's working. But that wouldn't have been enough for me. So instead I gave stuff away. As much as I could, to anyone who would take it. And I sold a couple things. And now, when I look at my scrapbook space, I feel relieved... and dare I say, Inspired? I got rid of my big Cricut, the small one seems to be all I need. And I scaled back embellishments until they all fit into 5 medium-sized bins (pictured above). And now it's so much easier to find 'the perfect touch' for the layout I am working on.

I still have a lot of stuff, more than most. I like stuff. And I definitely attach emotion to my things. I am sure that one day Brian hopes he can use our dresser to set things on, but for now, I am happy to have it full of framed memories. I think he looks forward to the day when there isn't a bunch of lavender within arms reach, everywhere in our house (I find this sooo therapeutic & calming when I'm stressed or sad to roll the buds in my hands and take a deep breath). But I also think that having 'fall decor' in our house to celebrate the changing season is what makes us feel at home. So I plan to find a balance. And I think I am well on my way there. (9 trips to the salvage center helps...)

I do want to leave my children with memories and maybe even some fabulous scrapbooks, but not a house full of crap to haul to the dump...

Oprah!

Today Oprah started her Farewell Season. I cried & cried. This isn't anything new for me... I cry when Oprah is happy, sad & when she's giving things away. Today I bawled. I am just so sad it's going to be over. I am so sad that Molly won't grow up with Oprah the way I did. I never really stopped to think of how she has changed my life, but she has. An hour a day, since I was 5, when my mom first started to watch... until I was old enough to watch it myself.

My mom taped Oprah on our VHS Machine. My dad worked away so I understand now why mom taped the show. She wanted to wait until we were in bed so she could watch it, uninterrupted. I actually remember waking up & going downstairs where my mom was watching Oprah & doing the ironing. I curled up on the couch & watched with her. I don't remember what the show was about, but I remember my mom was so happy, ironing late at night. And I remember the smell of the steaming iron & that I was so happy she was letting me stay up.

When 9/11 happened I remember her first show back on the air. I don't remember how she said it, but she put the message out there that 24/7 coverage of negative news events aren't good & that it would do us all good to TURN OFF THE TV for a while & take a break. I remember to do that now. I don't need to be bombarded with images of earthquakes and war 24/7. While it's good to be informed, taking a break will minimize the shell shock. We need to be affected by these events. But we need to take away a message and not an image. This idea has served me so well in many parts of my life... it's about perspective, it's about positivity & it's about the value of life.

Thanks Oprah.

Layout #193

chugga by Haley Ross
Um, I love this layout. I loved this day. I love these pictures. And I love this paper. So over all, LOVE LOVE LOVE.
Materials: Patterned Paper: Stampin' Up & Sandylion; Stickers: Sandylion; Chipboard Alphabet: Lil' Davis; Cardstock: Coredinations; RubOns: American Crafts; Pop Dots: 3L.

Layout #192

fresh by Haley Ross
(with some help from my friends...)
Thanks guys! This is seriously the best way to scrapbook. So, from now on, I'm going to slap together a page & let ya'll finish it. I'm kidding. But it's nice to know there's so much help out there! I was actually super pumped to use these little glass drops I bought in Montana when I went for CKU... yeah, that was 4 years ago. I remember buying those & thinking 'These are fabulous, I bet I'll kick myself for not buying more.' Then they went into my stash & I forgot about them. So, I am glad I didn't stock up, but I was also glad to discover them!
Materials: Patterned Paper & Die-Cuts: Crate Paper; Ribbon: Colorbok; Glass Drops: Robins Nest; Stickers: EK Sucess; Quote Transparency: Daisy D's; Alphabet Stickers: Thickers by American Crafts; Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Pop Dots: 3L.

Food!

I LOVE HOT WINGS
But I actually hate eating them. They are messy & hard to eat (I also dislike large sandwiches, also too hard to eat). But I love a good hot wing. So I was pretty excited a couple weeks ago when I came across this recipe in a Rachael Ray cookbook. We tried it & we loved it! So tonight, because it's just Brian & I (Miles is away at Grandma & Papa's) we are having pizza & watching cable TV. If you like hot wings & you like pizza, you'll LOVE this:

Wingless Buffalo Chicken PIZZA

3/4 lbs chicken breast
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 tsp Steak Seasoning
1 store-bought pizza shell (or dough)
2 tablespoons of butter
1 tablespoon of Worcestershire Sauce (I used more...)
2 - 3 tbsp of hot sauce
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1 cup Monterrey Jack Cheese
1/2 cup crumbled Blue cheese (There was none of this on Brian's side, he hates Blue Cheese, but did admit it was good when I forced him to try it. I used a MILD blue cheese.)
3 scallions thinly sliced

Preheat oven to 425 F

1. Cook chicken with EVOO
2. In medium skillet: Melt butter, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce & tomato sauce.
3. Thinly slice chicken & add it to sauce. Pour sauce to cover pizza dough. Cover with cheeses & scallions. Cook for 18 minutes or until crisp.

Lovely.

Ten.

Today I got cable. Today, coincidentally, I feel overwhelemed. How will I know which shows to watch & which ones are a colossal waste of time? I've always loves SNL, The Office & am a fan of Modern Family. These are shows that are avaialble on local channels. But now I have options... about 140 of them. (As well as 40 digital music channels, 2 movie channels & Shaw Video on Demand.)

10 Shows I Could Watch

1. Tosh.0. It's the real reason I ordered cable (although I will allow Brian to think it was because I am a loving wife who wanted him to fully enjoy hockey season). Hilarious show. I've already set it on my TIVO.

2. The Food Network. I can't really name an specific shows, but I plan on learning them all. I'll get a pen & paper & write down as many recipes and cooking tips as I can. I am so excited to have this resource.... I've exhausted all my cookbooks.

3. Kate + 8. Who am I kidding? I could never watch this show. I get a headache after about 5 minutes. But I can appreciate the fact that she is still alive. You go girl!

4. Mad Men. I've heard it's fabulous.

5. Breaking Bad. After all the Emmy nod's it can't be bad... can it?

6. Intervention. My friend Jules & I watch this show together when I go to visit. It is shocking. I am always so invested in the recoveries of the addicts.

7. The Flintstones. One of the channels we have is a vintage cartoon channel. Cool. I wonder how Miles will react to old cartoons that I use to love?

8. Chelsea Lately.

9. Dexter. Yessss. I love this show. And until now, I've only had it on DVD. Can't wait to watch it in real time. I imagine each will it'll kill me to not have another episode to watch instantly afterward.. still, yessssss.

10. Really Big Things. I love this show. It's on the Discovery Channel & it explores, well, REALLY BIG THINGS. My favourite episode was on this hotel in dubai. No, it was the aquarium in South Carolina. No, the CAT machines in the Oilsands. What the heck, I like them all...

NOT DONE.

I'm not done this layout. In fact, I'm stuck. So some suggestions would be good. Remember I am a simple scrapbooker & don't want to have to go buy anything. Although, KIM, if you offer up your leftover brads from this Crate Paper line, I probably won't say 'No'.

Layout #191

Lucky Us by Haley Ross

When I was doing this layout Michelle looked over & was surprised to see a single layout. I was initially as shocked as her. I seem to be doing those more & more often. But it works. And I only had 2 pieces of this awesome paper. It's my first ever St.Patricks day layout.. mind you, I did have something awesome to celebrate (Molly).

Also, I can't believe I am only at 41 layouts for this year. Oops! I am beginning to think that my goal of 100 (which was toned down from 150 last year) is a little too far fetched. We'll see!

Materials: Patterned Paper: Little Yellow Bicycle; Brads: Making Memories; Alphabet Stickers; K&Co & Thickers by American Crafts; Envelope: Lil' Davis; Journaling Spots: Scenic Route; Cardstock: Bazzill Basics.

Layout #190

Oh Canada! by Haley Ross

I am such a proud Canadian, but there just aren't GREAT Canadian supplies out there. This worked, but I wish it was better. I dislike my journaling, I think it looks sloppy, but I'm not changing it, I want to move on.

Materials: Patterned Paper: Kaiser Craft & Scenic Route; Stickers: Karen Foster; Stars: Prima Marketing; Pen: EK Success Zig Writer; Alphabet Stickers: Thickers by American Crafts.

10 Randoms

Brian & I celebrated our 4 year anniversary by heading out on a hike. We did a 6km hike that one of the most strenuous I have ever done. I had lost my breath about 1km in & I knew I was in trouble. I did it! And I couldn't have done it without him there! It's a little symbolic...
10 Things That Work For US
1. Ask & you shall receive is our mantra. All I have to do is ask Brian to do something around the house & he does it. I know (and so does he), that you have to verbalize it. I can't be mad if I had 'hoped' he would clean the magazines piled on the stairs, but didn't.

2. We do 'stuff' together. We hike, kayak, go to Wino club, travel.... and once in a while, I'll even play Wii with him. I like doing things with Brian. I like spending time with him.

3. We also give each other time apart. Brian goes to hockey games, plays hockey, golfs & I scrapbook. And I appreciate my time away enough to know that Brian needs his too. I can't imagine marrying a loser who had no hobbies...

4. We don't believe "Love means never having to say you're sorry." That's crap. If I am sorry, I say it. And if Brian owes me an apology I get one.

5. We NEVER say things we don't mean. We have some friends who say awful things to each other when they fight. And then they say 'sorry' and it's all good for them. For me, I can't unhear words (is that a word?) they would stay with me. So lucky for me, Brian doesn't call me names or tell me he hates me when we fight.

6. Brian gets me. And I come with baggage. I guess that's just pure luck on my part.

7. We like the same shows. If we're going to spend time watching TV we can do it together. Although I get bored of TSN easily we usually plunk down & watch Modern Family, The Office or Jersey Shore (!) together. My favourite show is SNL but Brian can't stay up past 11 :)

8. I like the junk in his trunk.

9. We have our own cars. If I had to share a car with Brian we'd be divorced in 14 days, maybe less. I have a clean car. Brian, well, let's just say Brian has a car.

10. We'd rather be with our kids. Of course we appreciate a night without them, but most of the time we both want them around. Even yesterday we were talking about how much Miles would love the view from the top, the squirrels & the rocks to climb on.

10 Randoms

We spent the past couple weeks at our cabin in Saskatchewan. So, in honor of my 'down time' here are 10 things that

I haven't done in week (s)...

1. Updated my facebooks status. Even if we had internet access what would I have written. Haley is: Going for a Swim. Haley is: Drinking a cold beer. Haley is: Taking in the sunset. The last one sounds pretty good.

2. Heard Sirens. It's so peaceful up there. Here we hear sirens & trains all day long. It doesn't bother me, but I do notice the peace of 'nothing'.

3. Blogged.

4. Vacuumed.

5. Worried about what I was going to cook for dinner. Dinner just seems to happen at the cabin. Someone always steps up. And if they don't... we eat smokies.

6. Gone shopping. If you count stopping at Home Hardware in Lloyd or buying an ice cream cone from the South Bay Store, then this one is a bit of a lie.

7. Started a book knowing I would never finished. I love knowing I will get a chance to read each day. I finished four books at the cabin. I really mixed it up this year too. My favourite was called The Widow Cliquot. It's a memoir about the Widow Cliquot (of the Champagne empire) and business in France during the French Revolution & Prussian war. I was learning so much I think I was annoying Bran with my little "info" sessions...

" Hey honey, do you know what a Dandie is? Did you know how they got the added sulphates into wine in the 1800's? Want to hear about the fashion craze during the french revoltion? Guess how many grams of sugar were in a bottle of Champagne in 1811? Do you know why there are stars on the corks of a bottle of Vueve Cliquot. Do you even know what Vueve means??? (He said "No Thanks." But I told him anyway.)

8. Answered the phone. I checked my cell messages once in a while. And I did some texting. But there was no phone ringing in my ear. Um, it rocks.

9. Scrapbooked. Sadly I didn't take my stuff this year. Our little car is just too full with 2 babies (time for an upgrade?).

10. Woke up at 8. Brian does the early shift with Molly. (I LOVE him for it). So he let me sleep in most days. One day I slept until 11. I felt awful all day & asked him to wake me up early the next morning. I'm not a teenager anymore, guilt-free sleeping is a thing of the past. *Sigh.