New mirror - before and after pictures :)

Bought this little mirror at Goodwill - hated the yucky goldy colour, but saw it's potential!!  Susannah said it was like something out of a fairytale - like the mirror from Snow White....  :)  Anyway, I knew it would be pretty painted white and hung on my bedroom wall :)  

And so now it's done and here it is :)  

Pretty :)  

When I can find my silver paint I might add a little touch of silver to the edges....just to highlight little bits.....maybe.....  :)

Little friend...

One of the little dogs that Abby and Sam like to play with at the tanning salon I go to - they love to play fetch or sit on your lap and get attention...or just sit by the window and watch the traffic go by.  These are really cute little dogs - obviously very pampered by their owner (who owns the salon) and they are often at the salon and have their bed on the reception desk!!  This little guy spent the whole time on Susannah's lap today while I tanned :)  

Spotted at Goodwill....

My kind of mugs ;)  

Smile :)

Susannah and I went to see 'Beastly'...I'd been promising to take her for WEEKS...so as it is the last week it's showing I figured it was about time ;)  

I keep this 'smile' card in my bag now to take silly pictures of people when the time is right :)  

The time seemed right :)

For today......

Outside My Window... It's dark and breezy...it's the middle of the night...snow melting fast despite the temperatures only being JUST above freezing each day.

I am thinking...that Rosie is snoring REALLY loudly....she snores worse than a man lol...but I'd much rather share a bed with her than anyone else because she doesn't complain about me about ANYTHING....she loves me completely and totally unconditionally :)  Rosies snoring makes me laugh...it has a pattern to it and you can tell when she's getting into a dream and she sounds sooooo content.... :)

I am thankful for... my amazing children. How sweet natured and thoughtful they are, how funny they are.  How much I enjoy their company.  How helpful they are.  How little they complain.  Friends who think of us.  Springtime and the promise of warmer tomorrows.

From the kitchen...yummy hash brown casserole yesterday and enough left over for Laurence and I today.  Perfect when I REALLY didn't feel like cooking today!  Baked potatoes almost daily because Susannah seems obsessed with them!  I really need to stock up with different fillings for them!!  Endless cakes being baked so Laurence can practice baking and icing them!!

I am wearing...my nighty as I'm in bed.

I am creating...canvases, collages, art journals, altered books, Soul Restoration work, refinished furniture and other items for the house, a new me - a new LIFE :)

I am going...on two dates....wish me luck....I've been asked out by two new guys...BUT it's kind of strange because one I originally thought was perfect for me and the other one I thought really wasn't my type at all but he was really keen.....and NOW....I'm not so keen on the other one, but I really like the one who is really keen....and I like that he is so keen :)  it's kind of sweet that he's making so much of an effort to get to know me - even though I've been trying to push him away and not been making much of an effort back!!  Hhhmmm...
I am reading...I'm still reading The Gift of Imperfection, because I keep rereading bits and making notes etc....it's soooo good!!!

I am hoping...the weather continues to improve, we all stay healthy, my laptop issues resolve themselves.  The other issues in my life get sorted out.

I am hearing... Rosie's gentle breathing now her snoring has settled down...my tummy growling...I'm hungry but it's too late to eat.

Around the house...painting and renovating continues....and filling the walls with artwork :)  MY artwork - LOVE :)

One of my favorite things...is hugs....I wake up and find Sams arm snaked around my neck and little chubby hand hugging me tight.  I get hugs from Abby during the day.  And especially at bedtime.  Susannah gives me a hug before she leaves for school.  I get another hug from her at bedtime.  I can sometimes steal a hug from Laurence.  If I see Chris I can steal one from him ;)  I get hugs from my friends when I see them....not many of them get away without a hug or two :)  Yep, I like hugs :)  And my Rosie Posie gets LOTS of hugs on the bed....which is why all my clothes are covered in dog hairs...sigh.....and to be honest I don't really care :)  Love me, love my dog!!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...swimming, roller skating, opening bank accounts for the children, taking Rosie to the Natural Area for a long walk, going to the piano dueling bar, dates, bowling, tanning :)

Wonderful!!

Each Day I am sent an Email from Brave Girls entitled 'A Little Birdie Told Me....' and yesterday they sent me this one.  I LOVE it...and plan to put it onto a canvas and collage around it, so I can read it often and remind myself of how TRUE this is!!!!  Sometimes I think we all need a little reminder :)  

Enough...

'I am enough'

16" x 12" canvas 

The Daisies are real and from my garden - I pressed them last Summer :)

I love this canvas and she is hanging on my bedroom wall :)

In the name of art....

Susannah and her friend Cassie helped me squish an altered book flat by sitting on it :)

Cassie was sitting on it, then Susannah piled on top of her...but it wasn't quite enough weight...so I piled on top of Susannah!!!  

PERFECT :)  

All in the name of art - no pain no gain - hey Cassie??  :)  

Art therapy.....

Tonight I worked on finishing two canvases, and this was the second one..I started them last night.  With this one I really stepped out of my comfort zone when it came to the colours, as I usually use much more muted colours.  I decided that with the words 'Happiness and Joy' I HAD to go with vivid and bright colours though!!!  

This is a 16" x 12' canvas.

Balloon modelling workshop!!

Today Abigail took part in a balloon modelling workshop put on by Edmonton public libraries.  She REALLY enjoyed this!!  Abby has been fascinated by balloon modelling for a while now and has had a few kits at home - as soon as I heard about this workshop I KNEW I had to sign her up for it - especially as I knew that the girl running the class was homeschooled and has won several awards for her balloon modelling and runs a successful balloon modelling company now!!  Her Mom is on the homeschool group I belong to and I had heard endless good things about her!!

Abby really enjoyed the workshop and is thrilled that the bag she brought home includes a list of places to get all the professional quality supplies!!

The workshop was free and included all the supplies - it was wonderful!!

Oh my!!

Sam asked if he could style his hair yesterday, and, not one to inhibit my children's creativity or potential, I said 'of course'!!  After all, he says he wants to be a hair stylist when he is older!!  

Off he went into the bathroom and it wasn't long before the strong smell of hair spray and the sounds of drawers opening and closing reached us in the bedroom....

I was a little concerned as it was only a couple of weeks ago that we had had to spend the morning out with him and his faux-hawk, and Abigails pink hair!!  

Within a few minutes out walked Sam looking like this!!  Yikes!!  Suddenly the song 'Firestarter' was playing in my head.....

Susannah was almost crying..."Mom PLEASE don't let him leave the house like that"  

But he was sooooo PROUD of his new style and his talent!!!  :)  

Susannah won though...she bribed Sam with something or other and he flattened his hair for her....and left the house looking boringly normal....sigh....

This place I love......

Home :)

Valentines Day catch up....

How was your valentines Day??  Mine was lovely :)  I was woken with snuggles from my gorgeous boy.  Abigail made me coffee in my heart mug!  Sam made me toast on a Valentine plate :)

I had lovely sweet messages from friends on Facebook. And text messages too :)

I had a LOVELY lunch out with my friend JoAnne :)  I came home from that and found the children had decorated the house with love hearts all over the walls that had loving messages all over them!!  how wonderful :)  

I had popped in to Sweet Sues and got each of them a chocolate heart lollipop and also a box of chocolates.  Abigail went out with Lloyd for her birthday celebration, but the rest of us curled up and watched Ghost and Sleepless in Seattle and ate chocolates by the fire :)  

MMMMMM Green Monsters.....

Yummy goodness :)

Friends....

Despite now going to different schools, and the fact that she will soon be moving away, Susannah and Cassie still manage to spend a fair bit of time together, and Cassie sleeps over here quite often.  The girls went to the Justin Bieber concert together and also to his 3d movie with Abby a few weeks ago.  On Friday Cassie took Susannah to her skating clubs 'bring a friend to skating' night....and on Saturday Cassie came to support Susie at the mall in the talent contest :)  

I hope they stay in touch after they move.  

Fashion Designer....

Abigail is enjoying working on some fashion designs at the moment...she has a mini mannequin and some fabric scraps, ribbons etc and is creating all new styles :)

Bottle Cap Crafts!!

Today we went to our local Michaels for another of their free 'Make and Take' workshops.  

This time it was a bottle cap craft - turning bottle caps into badges.  They sell kits that can also turn bottle caps into charms for charm bracelets or necklaces, pins, or magnets, or embellishments for journals or scrapbooking.  

They supply everything needed as well as a staff member to show you what to do, and it was a fun little craft for the kids - and I made one too :)  

Susannah's friend Cassie was with us and joined in and made the brown one above!!  

I'm loving this right now!!!

I don't know how she just sits there in that chair in this video...because I can't hear this song without having to move my body...I HAVE to dance and sway....it's such a sexy tune and it just makes your body want to MOVE to the music......I LOVE it :)

LOVE. IT.  :)

Saturday afternoon baking.....

Yesterday afternoon the kids did some baking....Susannah and I relaxed while Cassie and Abigail made the stunning rainbow cupcakes above....then Laurence baked this yummy chocolate cake :)

I love having bakers in the family :)  

It's Spring Break here - no school for a week, Cassie is sleeping over for a couple of nights, we have quite a few plans for the week despite the useless wintery weather...Laurence is planning on practicing his soccer skills ready for the rest of his try outs next week....Abigail has a balloon modelling workshop to go to, we have some classes at Michaels to go to, roller skating, swimming, walks with Rosie, and I daresay a trip to the thrift store....oh and the kids want to open bank accounts....

Talent show...

Yesterday Susannah  (13) took part in our local towns talent show.  It was held at the mall.  She sand Lady Gaga's 'Born This Way'.  Even though she didn't make it through to the finals, I am so proud of her for having the confidence to get up there and sing in front of soooo many people :)

Several of her friends came out to support her and several of mine did too!!  Thank you soooo much to everyone that came out and supported her!!!

xxxxx 

Saturday night .....

Last night was so much fun.....I headed out for dinner with my friend Samantha - yummy dinner at Average Joes.  The Oilers were playing Calgary and the match was on so it was busy in there!!  After that we picked her Son up from work and gave him a ride home before heading to Overtime - a bar on the other side of town which has piano duelling every Friday and Saturday. 

Firstly the bouncers on the door (they probably have different name here but back home we call them bouncers) are HOT!!!  And really friendly and cute lmao!!  Secondly the atmosphere is MY kind of place!!!  I really liked it!!!  And the piano players/ singers were AMAZINGLY talented!!  And the first song they played was Adele's 'Rolling in the Deep' and the girl who sang was soooo good at it!  WOW!!!!

I think I am going to be back there very soon - and definitely want to get a group of us together to go and watch the pianos again!  LOVED it :)  

Snapshots of Christmas.....

Our kitchen/ dining room:

family room:

Abigail found the Christmas pickle and is the pickle champion 2010!!

Banana in her Christmas outfit:

Me with Sam and Abby:

Christie and Sid took the children to Candy Cane Lane and to 

Maisies Christmas House one evening:

We had a fun time at the Festival of Trees in Sherwood Park:

On December 23rd I took the girls to see The Wizard of Oz at the Jubilee Auditorium:

Lazy mornings and afternoons at our place :)