hairbrained schemes

Manic Monday.

Do you think there is a correlation between doing things like this:

to your dog and her having an extremely manic, slightly crazed look in every photo you take of her?

Maybe.

Patience is a virtue

that I do not possess a lot (any) of.

When patience was being handed out, clearly I was over in the sarcasm line, getting a second helping.

After about 4 hours of frustration (and me honestly wondering how far I could toss my new computer) we finally figured out how to get MS Picture It loaded. 

Here are a couple of projects I got finished this weekend.

This is a cupboard door - a couple of years ago I found a weird little second hand/dollar type store that sells them for between $2-$10.  They are great for little projects.  This one measures about 15"x16". 

The "Joy" is one of the MM chipboard letters, papers are Foofala by Autumn Leaves and the stars are chipboard by Deluxe Designs. 

Now that we're getting ready to start getting our new house stuff together, I finished a little mini file accordian book that I got at the dollar store for $1.00  I thought it would be a great place to keep business cards, phone numbers and general stuff that usually ends up crapping up the bottom of my wallet.

Lights, camera...

Lights!

So I've started shopping (surfing) for new house stuff. 

I was deadset on having counter balance lights for over the island in the kitchen.

Similar to this.  Of course, I can't find any Canadian sources, and after my whole getting-bent-over-with-Crate-and-Barrell-Canadian-Customs-dishes-for-my-birthday-costing-about-3-times-as-much-as-they-should-have experience, I don't think I want to order from the States again. 

So then I found these at Pottery Barn (which I thought would put me in the same situation, but lo and behold there is a PB in Calgary now.  Who knew?!)

In fact, just to make things easier, I think I'll just take the whole room pictured here - with a side order of extra lights for the kitchen.

We got snow here the other day.  I hate the snow (which has lead to my children, using their sharply honed powers of decuction, claiming that by extension I also much hate Christmas, Santa and them...they clearly have me pegged).

HOWEVER - I had to rethink my stance on snow only being good on the skihill or between the dates of December 24th and January 2nd. 

The day it snowed, the boys came home from school. 

Got their winter gear on. 

And played outside (without fighting - that alone I consider a Christmas Miracle) for 2 1/2 hours. 

So my new position on snow is:

Good:   between the dates of December 24th and January 2nd

              on the skihill

              when my kids go outside and play in it without fighting

Bad:      in every other aspect

The Pumpkin King has left the building...

and we're on to Christmas.

I remember thinking, just a few short months ago, "Woohoo (I say that in my mind a lot, but don't know if I've ever said it outloud - the words "gals" and "folks" also fall into that category) both the boys are in school fulltime this year.  I am going to be rolling in free time.

Huh?

What?

I have no free time.  (and yes I see the irony in that statement as I sit here blogging and swilling coffee).

The last 2 months have been crazy busy.  Busier even than the dreaded month of May. 

Weird.

But now Halloween is securely behind us. 

Our party was a success.  (I usually judge that by the amount of tears...and only one child cried...and it was Lucas...because someone "stole his seat"...I may sound harsh here, but ... "oh well")

Remember our friend, Troy?  The one who was working in complete mystery on his costume.  I think he actually spent more time planting clues to throw Jason off than making the costume, but his costume rocked.

Here's a picture (and yes, that's Curious George stuck to his hat).

 

Jason and Joel were the Jolly Green Giant and Little Sprout.  I'm really not sure why Joel is lifting his *ahem* dress and why Jason is so excited about it, but I'm sure it has something to do with Niblets of some kind.

Here are the boys - Jason made the Shark costume from scratch.  I'm pretty proud of him. 

   

Dr. J's Little Shoppe of Horrors.  Including (but not limited to): werewolf brain, mummy ears, dragon guts, pickled witch's eyes and maggots.

I'm also happy (and a tad suprised) to report that we actually realized our dream of having a "make it to midnight" party. (Thanks to Avril, Gabe and Audrey for making our dream come true).

And just a side note, totally unrelated to Halloween (but I want to write it down before I forget it). 

A Conversation with Lucas Regarding Heaven:

Lucas:  So mom, when you go to Heaven you will have enough money to buy whatever you want, right?

Me:  You don't need money in Heaven, bud.

Lucas:  (thinks hard for a moment).  Oh.  Soooo...do you just steal whatever you want?

aaaaaaaand scene.