See ya on the "Flip" Side

Just want to have fun!

2007-08-08T22:07:00.000-05:00

This photo was taken this weekend at Ontario Place on the flume ride. My sister and little cousin are sitting in the front row and I am the dork in the middle seat.

Well it was a very busy weekend with my Aunt visiting from the US with my little 9 year old cousin (who I met for the first time IRL). We headed over to Ontario Place on Saturday and boy was it busy. With Caribana and the Chinese Lantern Festival going on the line ups were massive. As I was just about ready to pay to get in, a lady thrust a small slip of paper in my hands. As I was reading it, the man standing in the line behind me told me it was a coupon to get into OP for a great price. He then asked me how many people were in my group and proceeded to give me more coupons so that we all could get in for the sale price. I couldn't believe how nice these "strangers" were to give me these coupons. Thanks!

We went on almost all the rides and had a fun time. My all-time favourite ride is the flume. The line ups for this ride were incredibly long and we were only able to get on it once but still had a blast. I always scrunch up on the way down at the end of the ride and end up looking like a dork (as you can see in the photo). LOL

I really enjoyed seeing the decorations for the Chinese Lantern Festival. This was my first time attending the lantern festival and I was not let down. The lanterns were gorgeous and we enjoyed the event. If you have an opportunity to attend the festival it is worth it!

The only sad part was that my digital camera was acting up again so I ended up taking photos with my film camera and now have to be patient to get the developed.

The weekend went by very fast but what I can tell you is that I am incredibly exhausted after looking after my little cousin. Can you say a bundle of energy! It was a fab visit with lots of great memories!!!

Holly is on to Me!

2007-08-03T11:50:00.001-05:00

Well I have neglected my blog so much lately and have been discovered by Holly. Not only have I been discovered but now tagged too. I can't let a challenge/tag go unanswered so let's play.

The game is SCATTERGORIES ... and it's harder than it looks! Here are the rules:* Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the questions.* They MUST be real places, names, things ... NOTHING made up! * If you can't think of anything, skip it. * You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question.* If your name happens to start with the same letter as mine, sorry, but you can't use my answers!

My Name: Elia (this will be a toughie)

1. Famous Singer/Band: Elton John
2. 4 letter word: earn
3. Street: Elm Street
4. Color: Evergreen (according to crayola!)
5. Gifts/Presents: earmuffs
6. Vehicle: Echo
7. Things in a Souvenir Shop: envelopes (you know to put your post cards in lol) ?
8. Boy Name: Edward
9. Girl Name: Elise
10. Movie Title: Erin Brockovich
11. Drink: Egg Nog
12. Occupation: Editor
13. Celebrity: Elle Macpherson
14. Magazine: Elle
15. U.S. City: Erie
16. Pro Sports Teams: Edmonton Eskimos (do I get credit for double E)
17. Fruit: Eddo
18. Reason for Being Late for Work: exhausted
19. Something You Throw Away: everything
20. Things You Shout: Excellent!
21. Cartoon Character: Elmer Fudd

Okay, I am tagging Teresa, Patti M, Marina, and Marjorie. So, if you've been tagged, complete this game using your own name's first letter, and then tag at least four blogging friends. Have fun!

I'm it!

2007-04-13T23:27:00.000-05:00

I have been tagged by Marge.

Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their seven things, as well as these rules. At the end of your blog, you need to choose 7 people to get tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them that they have been tagged and to read your blog!

So I guess I have to reveal 7 facts or weird things about myself hmmm ...

1. My first job was (and still is) as a law clerk for Patti's dh. I have been there for 11.5 years.

2. I am the very first person in my entire family to complete post-secondary school education.

3. I am a huge Days of Our Lives fan and have watched it since the age of 3 - that means I have been watching it for 29 years. (*insert googly eyes here*)

4. I chew my yogurt and jello.

5. I apologize all the time even when I am not at fault over something. (Do you think they have a 12-step program for that).

6. I have to eat things in even numbers.

7. I have to wear socks to bed, even in the summer because my feet get too cold and I can't sleep with cold feet.

I can't believe that I just revealed all that to you. Okay, so I am a freak. Hope you don't think less of me. Sorry (see I just can't help it). LOL

Thanks for the fun Marge!

So, I will tag Crystal, Ki, Michelle E, Mel G, Julie, and 2 other people who may visit my blog. Make sure you drop me a note so I know who stopped by and picked up the challenge.

ScrapAbility goes Live!

2007-04-11T23:33:00.000-05:00

Woo Hoo! We launched ScrapAbility last night and the response was so overwhelming! We had 70 registered users in just under 24 hours of going live and tons of sign ups for the initial classes. Patti, Jen, and I are so thrilled at the great response we have had with this and all the wonderful comments that people have sent us. Thank you to all for your wonderful support.

We have so much more in store for ScrapAbility, so make sure you stay tuned because you won't be disappointed. In the meantime, if you register online you can download Jen's amazing free class and you will also be entered into a draw for an awesome prize package!!!

A HUGE thank you to Angela!!!

2007-04-10T23:29:00.000-05:00

For the awesome blog banner that she created for me. I love it! I just gave her an idea and some colour options and gave her creative freedom and she totally ROCKED it!!! Thank you Angela, you're the best.

Angela has started her own design business and offered to create banners, cards, etc. for a whole bunch of people. She has been busy with her awesome creations and I am honoured to have been one of the lucky recipients of her amazing work. You truly are a generous and sweet person and I wish you much success in your new venture.

I have been trying to slowly build on my blog and the thought of creating my very own banner was quite intimidating. Thank you for helping me add another special touch to my own little space on the net.

Great big hugs to you my friend!!!

It's Easter

2007-04-08T08:10:00.000-05:00

Happy Easter!

I woke up this morning to a white Easter - something is just wrong with that. It was just a light dusting of snow but, it's just not right IMO. Mother Nature is obviously confused. LOL Does the Easter Bunny still come out in the snow. Not that I need chocolate but it is always fun. Makes you feel like a kid again.

Well its been the same hectic Easter preparations as always. Spent Good Friday doing my favourite thing with mom - baking sweet bread. I tell you if it wasn't so yummy, I just couldn't justify spending the whole day doing it. We managed to find some time (in between risings), to head out to the Easter procession held by one of the local churches. Good Fridays are always about tradition. It is actually what I look forward to every Easter.

Spent yesterday exchanging the sweet breads with family and friends. It always makes me laugh, you take someone a sweet bread and you always get one back. It's a vicious cycle and you never really get rid of them so you actually end up eating all these breads except some are yours and the rest were created by others. I guess that is part of the Easter tradition too. LOL The rest of the day, I had company over and had some nice visits.

I am hoping to spend a quieter day today with Easter dinner and church later this afternoon.

Tomorrow is my sister's birthday and we are going to see Il Divo. That should be interesting.

Tara C. - This one is for you!!!

2007-03-29T23:44:00.000-05:00

I have a friend, her name is Tara C., and she is from Cold Lake, Alberta and she is a sweet and funny lady. We have never met IRL but one day I hope that we do. Well, my friend Tara C., who is a fellow Nookie has hinted that yours truly has not updated my blog. So to you my friend Tara C - this one is for you!!! LOL

I have been super busy. So much to do and not enough hours in the day to get it all done. We will be celebrating the Nook's 4th anniversary on March 31st and have been planning a lot of fun stuff for the day. There will be a huge sale (40% off everything in the store), as well as prizes and games and free gifts with purchase. I felt like a kid in a candy store when Patti and I were preparing the goodies. On top of all this, we have the Cricut giveaway!!! I am hoping to meet some new ladies on Saturday too! Can't wait.

ScrapAbility has it's own blog! Check it out here. We are working away and are getting very close to launch time. Patti, Jen, and I are very excited.

I have also decided to take up Kristi-Anna's 100 questions about me challenge. I guess if I am going to update my blog, I better make it a big update. LOL

1. When’s the last time you ran?
Who are you kidding. I don't run. I may walk briskly, but I don't run. That would not be pretty.

2. Do your jeans have rips, tears, and holes in them?
Nope. Once they have a tear or a hole, its out they go.

3. What are you dreading right now?
I am not dreading anything but anxious about ScrapAbility, the Nook's anniversary, and any other thing I can fill my mind with. It's not like I have a lot going on, so I can just worry about anything and everything I can think of.

4. Do you celebrate 4/20?
I am not sure about what 4/20 is but I think it may be Earth Day. If that is what it is, then no, I don't really do anything special for Earth Day. I just remember to be as considerate as I can about the environment everyday.

5. Only child?
No. I have 1 younger sister.

6. Favorite ice cream?
I love ice cream. My favourite flavour depends on my mood. I love chocolate chip mint, cookie dough, vanilla, caramel cone explosion, banana nut, french vanilla . . . maybe I would have been better off listing flavours I don't like.

7. When was your last doctor’s visit?
Over a year ago.

8. Do you get the full 8 hours of sleep a night?
Sleep! What's that. Please don't look at the time of my blog update.

9. “First Loves Are Never Over;” is this true for you?
No

10. Think of all your exes. Would you take any of them back?
No, that is why they are exes.

11. If anyone came to your house on your “lazy days” what would they find you wearing?
My comfy track pants and t-shirt. It is all about being comfortable.

12. Have you ever been on your school’s track team?
Okay be prepared everyone. This will shock you. But yes I have. I made it to the finals but came in 5th out of the final 8 in my group.

13. Do you own a pair of Converse?
No

14. Who did you copy and paste this survey from?
Kristi-Anna

15. Do you eat raw cookie dough?
Only in ice cream

16. Have you ever kicked a vending machine?
No

17. Don’t you hate when the radio ruins good songs by playing them over and over?
Not really.

18. Would you rather them play the whole video or just a clip of it on TRL?
Don't really watch them so have no preference.

19. Do you watch Trading Spaces?
Not anymore.

20. How do you eat oreos?
When I was younge, I used to break them open, lick the icing and throw the cookie part into the bag for someone else. Now I just bite right into them. It's faster that way. LOL

21. Have you ever stayed online for a very long time waiting for someone?No

22. Are you cocky?
No, I don't think so.

23. Could you live without a computer?
No way!!!

24. Do you wear your shoes in the house?
I am usually barefoot. I have worn my crocs around the house on occasion.

25. At what age did you find out that Santa wasn’t real?
What do you mean Santa isn't real.

26. How many phones are in your house?
4 in total. 2 regular ones, 1 cordless, and 1 cell phone.

27. What do you do when you’re sad?
Cry and eat

28. Who would you call first if you won the lottery?
Family.

29. Last time you saw your best friend?
A few hours ago.

30. Who or what sleeps with you?
Wouldn't you like to know.

31. Are you/have you ever been in love?
I haven't found my real love.

32. Pancakes or french toast?
Both!

33. How do you like your eggs?
Sunnyside up or scrambled.

34. Are you in highschool?
No

35. Is anyone on your bad side right now?
There are some people right now.

36. What jewelry are you wearing?
Gold ring and earrings.

37. What’s the first thing you do when you get online?
Check my email

38. Do you watch Grey’s Anatomy?
Of course, except I missed it tonight.

39. How do most people spell your name?
Because my name is so different, it is often mispelled (and majorily butchered and mispronounced). The most common mis-spelling to my name is adding the letter H in front. I don't make a big deal of it. Most of the time, I don't even correct people.

40. Would you wear a boy/girlfriends clothes?
If it fit I would.

41. What was the first movie that gave you nightmares?
The Exorcist

42. Favorite 80s teen movie?
Sixteen Candles, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Dirty Dancing, Breakfast Club, Back to the Future.

43. Is Justin Timberlake becoming the next Michael Jackson?
Have no idea.

44. Do you know someone that wasn’t born in the United States?
Most of the people I know weren't born in the United States.

45. Favorite name for a boy?
Joshua, Ian, or Sean. But my most favourite is Joshua.

46. Will you keep your last name when you get married?
Not sure.

47. Your favorite restaurant you don’t get to eat much at?
Red Lobster, Olive Garden (I don't have any around me).

48. When is the last time you left your house?
This morning

49. How do you eat your steak?
Well done please.

50. Do you return your cart?
Most of the time

51. Do you have a dishwasher?
If my hands count then yes I do.

52. What noise do you hear?
The typing of the keys on the keyboard

53. Would you survive in prison?
No way.

54. Next concert you hope to go to?
Michael Buble but the next one I am actually going to is Il Divo.

55. What was the last thing you ate
As I missed dinner tonight, I actually can't remember what I ate last.

56. When was the last time you said I love you and meant it?
Today to my mom on the phone.

57. Who is the youngest in your family?
My sister

58. If all of your friends were going on a road trip, who would be most likely to over pack?
Without a doubt it would be me.

59. Do you know anyone with the same name as you?
Surprisingly yes.

60. How many syllables does your name have?
3

61. When is the last time you ate peanut butter?
At least a couple of months.

62. What service is your cell phone?
Rogers. And that is all I have to say about that.

63. What’s for dinner?
Nothing.

64. What’s the last thing you purchased?
A shirt. Scrapbook related - I refuse to answer on the ground that it might incriminate me.

65. Do your siblings ever pay for stuff for you?
Don't I wish. It is the other way around.

66. Where is your cell phone?
In my purse.

67. Is your phone on vibrate or ring?
Always on ring

68. What brand are your pants right now?
Addition Elle.

69. Ever been to Georgia?
Nope

70. Did you do breakfast this morning?
Yes. Cofee with a bagel

71. Do you like marshmallows?
Oh yes

72. What irritates you most on the internet?
Spam!!!

73. What brand is your digital camera?
Kodak

74. Do you watch movies with your parents?
Yes on occasion.

75. What song best describes your life right now?
Can't think of one at the moment. It is late.

76. Do you own expensive perfume/cologne?
Yes

77. Are you taking college classes right now?
No

78. Who are you dating right now?
No one at the moment.

79. Do you like sushi?
Vegetarian sushi only.

80. Do you get your hair cut every month?
No, more like 3 or 4 times a year.

81. Do you go online everyday?
Pretty much

Looks like that's it so not quite 100. Oh well, I guess this means I can go to sleep now.

Nighty night!

ScrapAbility

2007-03-11T23:26:00.000-05:00

It is reveal time for ScrapAbility and I am very excited to be able to finally share it with everyone. It has been very hard to keep it quiet for so many months.

Patti Thompson, Jen Backler, and I have come together to bring you something new and different. We are very excited to be able to share this with you. Please take a moment to visit our new site...ScrapAbility!

My friend and partner in crime Patti, has put together some more information for you about our new venture:

When will we launch--We do not have a specific date, but will let you know when we do. What I can tell you is that we are very close, and are working on it at a feverish pace, so it should not be too long. Obviously we will keep you up to date. Who are we--I have to credit the concept of SA to Jen Backler. Elia, Jen and myself have worked hard to round out the concept and bring something truly unique to everyone. We are a separate company from The Scrapping Nook.

What are we--The classes that we will be bringing the consumer are top notch classes, taught by industry leaders, design team members and top manufacturing companies. We will launch with a small array of classes to test the waters and continue to grow from there. We have a long list of teachers who have agreed to teach for us and who understand our concept and our goal.

What is our goal-- Our goal is to reach everyone. We have a distinct Canadian feel, but have included international teachers to really round out the experience. We felt a real need in the industry to reach scrapbookers, paper crafters and photographer "wannabes" all over the world. It does not matter if you live in Fonthill, France, Ft. Myers or anywhere in between. Everyone will now have the opportunity to learn, grow and flourish as an artist regardless of where they live.

We are incredibly excited and honoured to offer this to you! We would love to have feedback on what classes you would like to see offered, and any other comments you might have. You can reach us at info@scrapability.ca.

We also would love to thank Patti and Chris Miller from Blue Kangaroo Studios for all their excellent work with the site. Thanks to both of you, you totally rock!!!

Thanks and hope to see you there!!!

It's Miller Time!

2007-02-20T00:33:00.000-05:00

Oh yeah! I *heart* Wentworth Miller. He is hot, hot, hot. He is basically the only reason why I love to watch Prison Break. Great eye candy! I love Monday's just so I can get my Miller time.

I see that I have been remiss in my duties to my blog. I always have good intentions but by the time I get all my work out of the way it is 2 or 3 am and I just need to grab all the sleep I can before 6:30 am rolls around. Truth be told, I was never any good at keeping any kind of journal and this is the most I have stuck to something like this. My goal is to keep at it. Thanks to the girls who help keep me on track.

Life is still busy and there sometimes just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day to get things done. I ran a weekend long challenge on our board at the Nook. I had a blast and really enjoyed reading everyone's responses and seeing what they came up with. The best part for me was shopping for all the prizes. I came out with some prizes for me too. One for the prize winner, one for me. LOL So if you won a prize, you should be getting it shortly because I am happy to report that as of today, all prizes have gone postal. Make sure you keep on checking in because you never know when I run a few more challenges.

There are just 5 days left before Divine Design and I am super excited. All of the classes are great. After so many months, the day is finally arriving. A great day is planned for all. A lot of work and planning has gone into this event and it will be nice to see it come to fruition. That is a big word for Tuesday morning at 12:55 am. Tee hee hee.

So off I go with to bed with visions of yummilicious Wentworth Miller dancing around in my head.

I am alive

2007-02-07T21:03:00.000-05:00

It has been a long time since I have updated but life continues to be hectic. There just aren't enough hours in the day. But I am alive barely but alive nonetheless. LOL

Spot is finally on the mend but boy was it hard to chase her around the house to give her her medication. I was so not meant to be chasing a six month old kitten. By the time I finally caught her and then went through the ordeal of giving her medication, which was another experience altogether, I needed to have a nap. I was exhausted!

I am still on the losing end and am down a total of 15 lbs. The only problem is that I feel like those high school kids that wear their pants below their butts. Not pretty. I need to get me a belt! The ladies at the Nook are all doing so well and am really grateful for the inspiration and support.

Things are going well with the online store. We are new to this experience and despite it all, we are very happy with the way that things are going. The most exciting news is our fabulous contest. If there is ever a contest you don't want to miss, this is it!!! Check it out, you will not be disappointed.

We have lots planned for the store and hope you all stay tunned!!!

Fun Times!!!

2007-01-27T00:39:00.000-05:00

Well our online store has been up and running for a week and things are going well so what is next - sale time!!! We are having a Go Cart Sale. Quite neat if I do say so myself. People get to fill up their carts with the goodies they want and then SIX DIFFERENT TIMES BETWEEN SATURDAY MORNING AT 11:00 AM AND SUNDAY NIGHT AT 9:00 P.M., WE WILL GIVE YOU TEN MINUTES (BASED ON OUR TIME HERE) TO CHECK OUT. Everyone who checks out in those ten minute times frames will receive 20% OFF THEIR ENTIRE ORDER (excluding SOUP items). Even the sale items count! Can't get much better than that.

A notice will be posted in the News and Events Section of the board ONLY and then people will have ten minutes from then to check out. Best be ready!!! Please select EMAIL TRANSFER for your method of payment and we will manually calculate your total, notify you of your total, and make payment arrangements. DO NOT pay with paypal as your discount will not be calculated.

Whew! I hope I remembered to cover everything.

On another fun note, I was tagged by Ki!!! This is my first ever tag, so here I go.

A=Available - why for a matter of fact I am indeed
B=Best Friend - all of my friends
C=Cake or pie - pass the cake please but not right now because I am on a diet and that is for special occassions only
D=Drink of choice - tea, iced tea, hot chocolate, mocha chillates, pina colladas
E=Essential item you use everyday - my cell phone
F=Favourite color - blue (but love so many others too)
G=Gummy bears or worms - definately the bears
H=Hometown - Toronto, ON
I= ndulgences - scrapping supplies, clothes
J= January or February - February cuz its my birthday
K=Kids and names - none unless you count my kitten Spot
L=Life is incomplete without - my family
M=Marriage date - haven't been there yet
N=Number of siblings - one younger sister
O=Oranges or apples - don't really like fruit and it really depends on my mood - sometimes oranges and sometimes a nice juicy apple
P=Phobias or Fears - fear of all things creepy, crawly, and slithery
Q=Favourite Quote - Don't eat yellow snow. LOL
R=Reason to smile - watching my cat Spot's antics
S=Season - Summer
T=Tag 3 or 4 people - Teresa, Heather V, Kimmie, Patti M
U=Unknown fact about me - my life is an open book
V=Vegetable you don't like - I HEART vegetables!!!W
W= Worst habit - I apologize alot and second guess myself
X=X-rays - head, foot, wrist
Y=Your favorite food - Chicken parm, potatoes with bread
Z= Zodiac Sign - Pisces

Whew now I am wiped from the long post and working my brain cells.

Soup is On!!!

2007-01-21T00:51:00.000-05:00

Well today we finally did it!!! We finally launched our online store after a lot of long hours, back and neck aching pains, and sleep deprived nights. Patti and I are extremely excited about it and to be totally honest a little nervous too. We will continue to work on it as there is plenty more that we wish to add but we hope that everyone likes the store so far.

Patti has been taunting everyone with SOUP du jour (Savings of Unbelieveable Proportions) and it started today. So Soup is on everyone!!! Everyday a new item (bigger and smaller ticket items) will be on sale from 40-50% off. What a fab deal!!!

We have gotten so much support from all the wonderful members of the board and our store customers. Thank you so much ladies. You are all awesome!

Want to thank Patti M. and Chris from Blue Kangaroo Studios for all their wonderful work with the board and now launching the online store. You guys are truly the best.

Lastly, thanks to Patti T. for sharing this wonderful experience with me. I love riding with you. It has been a lot of work and will continue to be but well worth it. You know how much I love working with you at the office and the store. I am very fortunate that many years ago I came knocking on Rons door and not only found a great boss and co-worker but an amazing friend. You are the best!

My baby is home!

2007-01-18T00:45:00.000-05:00

Well Spot is back home. I missed her terribly. She seems to be doing well and is even playful. Yeah!!!

I received the cutest purse with some toys for Spot and a card today from Karen who is on the Nook board. We have some very thoughtful and generous members on our board. Just the fact that she was thinking of me and Spot means so much. She is a very sweet lady.

Work has been busy and still working away on the online store with Patti. We are slowly getting there and are hoping to have the online store launch on Saturday. How exciting!!! Another great part is that I could hopefully grab a few extra hours of sleep and put an end to my neck and shoulder pains. Who would have thought that working on these items on the computer could cause so much suffering. LOL

Lastly, I lost another 5 lbs this week for a total of 10. I am really thrilled that all my efforts are paying off. I hope to keep the losing streak going. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Good night folks.

Is it Monday yet!

2007-01-14T09:50:00.000-05:00

So my cat Spot is going to be spayed tomorrow. Not soon enough I tell you. The vet scheduled her for mid month but she certainly missed the boat on this one. I know that she could not be certain of a date but in my mind I wish that she had scheduled her a week earlier like I wanted. Momma is always right. LOL For the past 5 days Spot has been going at it. I love her dearly but she is driving me insane. I am losing on the precious little sleep that I get. I have never had the privilege of being around a cat during their special time so some of the stuff is very strange to me. I also never wish to go through this again. At the same time, I am nervous for her. I know it is routine but I always get nervous with surgeries. I have never had surgery myself so the whole thought of getting cut up does not sit well with me.

The good thing is I had a wonderful break yesterday. Had a fab time with all the girlies at the crop at the Nook. Did alot of talking, had a lot of laughs, and this time I actually did something. Patti and I created a box for the St. Catherines hospital. They have a program that when a woman loses her baby, she is sent home with a box that contains a polaroid photo and the hat within a little decorated memory box. One of our customers daughters lost her baby and received one of these boxes from the hospital a year ago. The anniversary is approaching and the family decided that they would love to contribute to the creation of the boxes as a way of healing and giving back. Mom and daughter asked for some help with this project. It is such a wonderful thing and am glad that I could participate. I was so touched to see how the Nook ladies participated in this and how many boxes we all created. She went home yesterday with 12 boxes and we even inspired the daughter, who does not craft, to make her very own first box. It touches my heart to see so many women contributing to this wonderful project. This will be an ongoing thing for the Nook and we will be creating these little boxes on an ongoing basis as there is need for them at the hospital.

We also had a fab time at dinner as always. We always laugh so hard I get an awesome workout and it hopefully helped toward my consumption last night. I am hoping that my weigh in results tomorrow will be good but am afraid after last nights dinner. I did not go overboard and had no dessert but it was certainly no low fat, low cal dinner. But it was scrumptious. Cannot wait to meet up with the ladies again.

Time Flies By

2007-01-10T00:32:00.000-05:00

I cannot believe how long it has been since I posted on here but it has been crazy busy and when I finally have a moment it is 3 am and lets face I am going to sleep (if my busy neighbours will let me). One of the things I hate about living in a row house. Started up my life style change with all the wonderful support from the girls on the forum. I am happy to report that I survived my first week and lost 5 pounds. I feel lighter and skinnier already. I think I need to find me some smilies for this place, it just does not feel the same without them and I cannot properly convey my thoughts without them.

Patti and I have been working like crazy to get the Nook online store up and running. It sure does not help that I have been having all sorts of internet problems but so far so good today. By the time bed time rolls around, if that is what you can call it, my neck and shoulders are burning. In the end, I am sure it will all be worth it.

Well, off to work on the online store again.

Happy 2007 to all

2007-01-02T01:15:00.000-05:00

It is a new year! It always marks a new beginning for me. I have to focus on getting more healthy and taking care of myself and losing some weight. I know it is going to be tough but I am committed to this and will make this work no matter how many times I fall off and have to keep on trying. I also need to get myself organized and start scrapping more. I never seem to find enough time to do things just for me so this year is all about that.

Hope everyone has a wonderful 2007!

Trash Talk

2006-12-30T00:31:00.000-05:00

Um yeah okay. So I am a spaz!!! I am gonna talk trash here, literally. The City of Toronto delivers these trash/recycling day calendars so we can all keep track of what goes out and the day. So I think to myself, with the holidays I should be a responsible trash citizen and look this up and discover that the green bin garbage and recycling goes out Saturday instead of Friday this week. Excellent!!! I have a whole extra day to do this. Most of the people on my street do not follow the calendar and throw out as usual. So, I am in bed and do not have to worry about getting up early for work as I have the day off, yeah for me!!! It is about 7 am and I hear the distinct sound of the garbage truck and get up and you got it - the truck is a coming!!! You gotta love the girl who is out in the street in her jeans and long shirt jammies tucked in and all bunched up in the butt (like it needs any more padding) with crocs dragging out the green bin and recycling. That must have been great gossip for the old european neighbours, which is practically everyone on the street, for the next week at least. You know they are all at their windows checking out whats what. I am even sure that by now I was not even taking out the trash anymore, but probably lost my mind and doing some kind of nature dance. LOL My only saving grace is the fact that my immediate next door neighbour was out there barefoot in her jammies taking out her stuff too. I really hope that no one lost their eyesight and that no severe emotional scarring occurred. I just know though that one day in the very near future I will turn on the tv and there I will be.

Sorry for the boring trash post but it was an embarrassing ordeal for me. At least I can laugh about. I think.

Looks like I made it

2006-12-24T00:39:00.000-05:00

Whew! I am wiped out. What a relief to be done with my Christmas shopping. It was crazy out there. I feel for those poor souls who still have to get their shopping done. I have even got almost all of my wrapping done and have delivered some pressies. Hopefully this means that I can relax a bit and perhaps sneak in a nap preferably a nice long one (she says this while yawning and having difficulty reading the screen from the water in her eyes).

For the past three years this day makes me pause, it will be a day I never forget for as long as I live. My sister went in for emergency surgery on 24 December 2003, suffering from a severe crohns episode/infection. She had never been diagnosed with it prior to this event and all we knew was that she was losing so much weight rapidly and was in extreme pain and doctors kept on telling us that she was fine. I took her to a different hospital and finally got someone who cared to figure it out for her in time to save her life. The doctors told us that she would not have made it another day and that she was lucky to have survived the surgery. I will never forget that feeling and feel extremely thankful for all the wonderful people who provided her with excellent care. It reminds me of how quickly life changes and that we should never take one day or any of our loved ones for granted. Remember to tell the people you care about how you feel about them and give them a hug.

Lastly, I want to wish everyone a wonderful Christmas. May it be filled with happiness and love.

Big hugs to you all.

Wake up!

2006-12-21T00:35:00.000-05:00

First off, she who goes on 4 hours of sleep every night for the last month or so is bound to have it come back to bite her in the you know where. Went to bed last night at 2:45 am and when the alarm went off this morning, guess who did not even hear it go off. Thats right, slept right through it! My sister had to come and shake me awake. My sister - you know, the girl who sleeps through the smoke detectors going off in the middle of the night without even making the slightest stir and does not even hear her own alarm clock go off. Nice, real nice! Suffice it to say, I finally managed to wake up and roll out of bed and get ready for work. Had me one of those extra large coffee drinks please and thank you.

Work is busy and I have a ton of paperwork to do despite the fact that one of our articling students told me today that my desk looked like it was cleaned off. He obviously has a different definition of clean desk than I do. Okay, making a mental note, these files do need to be cleared off before I break for Christmas.

That brings me to my next issue. I am so behind on my christmas shopping. I am really trying not to focus on the fact that I have 4 days left. Anyway, I went shopping after work today. Despite the fact that it was a madhouse, I was struggling with all my enormous purchases, was pushed and shoved, stepped on, and went without dinner, I am pleased that I managed to get most of it done. I have a few more items to get (oh dear please do not send me back into the malls), I can start the wrapping stage. I am usually done by mid December but with all the work at the office and getting stuff done for the store, time just went right by me. Now I have to deal with it. I really do not know how people save all of their shopping done for the very last minute. I would go nuts!!! Hope everyone else has been doing a lot better than I have.

Thank you to all for checking in with me. Thanks for the offer Melissa, I will be calling upon you for your excellent services once I complete my 5 posts. That is very sweet of you. I still have lots to learn about this all as you can all see from my lack of blog organization. I think I have rambled on quite enough for today and as you can see, I apparently do not feel that I have to go to bed at a decent hour again tonight. LOL

Goodnight John Boy.

I caved in

2006-12-19T11:51:00.001-05:00

I finally caved in and started my own blog. Everyone has been telling me to start a blog and I have been putting it off. Really what am I going to "blog" about. I guess I will have to start learning to "tap" into my creativity. I have never been very good about journalling in any type of format so here's hoping I can acutally stick with this. Please don't point this post out to me when I haven't updated in like 50 years. LOLI enjoy reading other people's blogs and I usually make a "blog run". I will set aside a bunch of time and catch up on everyone's blogs that I usually visit. I will have to set aside my own blog time. Keeping my fingers crossed.Enough about all that and on to more exciting news. I actually have some exciting news to share!!! The new site for our store The Scrapping Nook has launched. It totally RAWKS!!! Thanks to Patti(cakes) and Chris from Blue Kangaroo Studios and Patti for all their hard work. The best part is that there is so much more to come too! Stay tuned folks you will not be disappointed. We have a few contests running and some challenges. There is something for everyone. I am seriously addicted to the new site and can't seem to get focused on my regular work. Now when I am sitting here at the office on Christmas day all alone working away on all the paperwork I have no one to blame but myself.