Exit 2005

2005 was the year of "Who Would Have Thought?!" Aside from some strange goings on in my family, the rest of the world had some mighty strange occurrences.

Who will forget the Freakiest of Them All, the pajama wearing court attending Michael Jackson (guilty as all sin in my books!) The star I used to think was hot, Tom Cruise, now a self professed psychology expert and now extrememly high on the "Ewwwwww" factor. May 2006 be free of these two on every magazine cover, please!!!!

There was a lot of sadness. The tsumami and New Orleans. In my city the death of two cute kids to a house fire purposely set to scare the mother. Terrorist bombings around the world. The recnet murder of an innocent teenager in Toronto who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I pray that the next year will not have so much sadness.

Good things for us were a year of many travels. Mendocino in the Spring, Palm Springs in the Summer, Newport Beach and St. Croix, USVI in the Fall. Our huge yard reconstruction was finally completed and now we have the most gorgeous retaining wall and back yard in the neighborhood (part 2 this Spring). My kids are great and such smart and interesting individuals. I am always proud of them. My husband is kind and understanding - how can I not love the man!!!

May 2006 hold good surprises for everyone, enough money to make you happy, the love and support of friends and family, and patience to get through the inevitable bs that always occurs.

A Happy New Year to All!!!!

A Very Merry!

It was a very brown Christmas - the warmiest in years! We dined on Pistachio Encrusted Sea Bass for our traditional all fish Christmas Eve. Our small, but loving family of 7 with my mom and Uncle. Cookies for Santa were left as usual.

Kids up at 8 a.m. - thank you for letting us sleep in! The boys loved all of their gifts - lots of electronics and computer things this year!! For Austin, it was the year of the car, many sports car themed items for him! We all received tickets to the Chuckwagon Races and Grandstand show for the 2006 Calgary Stampede.

Dinner at Mom's for turkey and all the usual good stuff! The company of people we love. What could be better?? Merry Christmas to all! Hope you were as blessed as I was.

Always Live!

Just a quick snap of the canvas I made for my oldest son. You would think out of the 500 or so photos I have taken over the last 3 months, I would have a good one of him alone....oh well! It is wrapped up awaiting opening on Christmas morning. Also made one for my youngest and one for dh's office. Finishing touches to be done soon on that one! Yikes - time is a' tickin'!

Creativity

I have just signed up for an on-line class by Stacy Julian from her new Big Picture Scrapbooking site. I am pumped!!

It is one of my New Year's Resolutions to do more creative things with my scrapbooking. The class I am taking is called U R2 Cre8ive! and promises to "awaken and energize your creative spirit".

Best of all, it is all on-line. This concept rocks!! No driving across town to a crowded workshop!! It can be done on your own time. She even has on-line voice messages to keep you motivated.

If you are into making creative journals and scrapbooks, you must check it out and give yourself this Christmas present!! Hopefully I will have some great creative things to post here in the New Year!!

Winter Wonderland

As I drove home late last night, the ice fog was swirling around the sky. I was excited because I knew that Mother Nature was preparing a great gift to be revealed in the morning.

It was splendid!! The sun shone down on the huge flakes of ice (which looked exactly like giant soap flakes) and made them glitter like diamonds.

So pretty!! This is one of the rare days when I really LOVE winter!!!

It's Not About the Cookies

Recently several 40-ish women descended upon beautiful Canmore, Alberta to exchange cookies, talk too much, overtake the hot tub, do yoga, take a hip hop dance class and let's not forget drink wine!

These women rock!! They are all strong individuals in their own rights ranging from doctor to engineer to real estate developer. We are all moms first and foremost which brought us together 8 years ago.

It started with cookies. Has progressed to fabulous cookie packaging. But it will never be "About the Cookies". It is about the power of 7 women who come together to regroup and live life!!

I love all you girls!!!!

Christmas Songs

Nothing like listening to some tunes while wrapping presents. Put on some great music, sip some wine and wrap away...talk about festive!

There are two songs that I can't stand listening to this year. First of all there is American Idol's Carrie Underwood and her Jesus Take the Wheel song. UGH!! Why oh why would this young girl write a song like that??? Don't get it.

The other one is last year's song about the dead mom and her shoes. Hate it...it is sad and morose and just downright depressing.

Give me jolly Saint Nick, shining stars, Tannenbaums and Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree any time.

This year I am boycotting sorrow!!!!!

All I want for Christmas is a Yellow Ferrari!

My 9 yr. old is obsessed with exotic cars!! His goal in life is to be a car designer - there is no doubt in his mind that this is what he will become.

There is not a day that we walk to school that he does not comment on the dual exhaust or hub caps of a passing car. Sadly, I don't know a hell of a lot about cars and can't answer any of his dozens of daily questions relating to types of tires and muffler performance.

Last week, he had a fabulous opportunity!! DH has a client that sells fantastic cars. Ferraris, Lamboghinis, etc. Had to go drop off something at their shop and of course took the boys to see some sweet rides up close and personal. A. was in Little Boy Heaven!!

I am planning to do a way cool canvas for his room about persuing his dreams and use this photo!!

Getting the feeling...finally!

I have been trying really hard to feel Christmas-y...really! My brain is still on a beach somewhere and has no interest in spending money at the mall.

I finished off my Secret Santa's gift today as it HAS to get in the mail tomorrow to make it in time...Canada Post don't fail me. I made something that I hope she likes - actually every Secret Santa in the VFG has received one of these so far, so it has become a tradition of sorts.

So tonight, something finally went off in my head and I am getting the feeling a little bit. Not full force or anything, but it's coming along. If I listen to that fab Chrissy Hines Christmas song (2000 Miles) a few more times it might hit me good.

On a parting note, what is it with all the "Holiday" crap. As far as I know December 25th is Christmas, damn it! Why does the world tippy toe over this to not offend anyone?? Last time I checked the majority of North Americans were Christian. End of rant!!!!!!!!

Tis the Season!

Fa la la .... and all that! I have discovered the coolest site for those who like to shop sitting on their tush. I'm not endorsing these people or anything, just thought I would pass along a fab find!!

Indie Collective is a group of way cool people who make all kinds of stuff.

Check it out and spend some money there...it's fun!

A Penchant for Patterns??

I love vintage patterns!! There is just something about them that I cannot resist - the smell of old paper, the great illustrations, the thought that a woman was hunched over her sewing machine creating something fabulous with her own hands.

If you are like me, you must check out The Vintage Fashion Guild's Public Forum for a great Vintage Pattern Workshop, LIVE TODAY!!

You have to register, but it is free and we promise not to give your email address to every drug and software pusher around!!

Hope you will check it out!

I Would Have Never Believed It

11 year old boy walks into the Pig House to give the large porcine creature a nice cold brewski. Upon seeing the familiar can in the young boy's hands, the pig starts to get excited and foam at the mouth. Boy gets freaked out and hesitates to give the pig his afternoon delight. Pig gets even more excited, bordering on agitated. Boy drops beer which spins out of control on the ground. Pig is freaking out. Kind father retrieves beer and gives it to relieved pig who crushes it in his jaws and drinks up the beer in mere seconds.


Just another day in St. Croix...who would have thought a business could exist on the cooincidence that pigs love beer.

PS - Pigs are on a 12 step program and only receive non-alocohic beer these days!

Skeletal Remains

The boys noticed this unusual sight while we were walking down one of the narrow shopping alleyways in Christiansted. There it was...this poor gecko (or what was left of him) on a pane of shattered glass. I suspect someone glued him on there permanently, how else could he cling there day after day??

Colorful

The colors in the town of Christianstead are gorgeous!! All the buildings are either pink or pistachio green, sunny yellow...no beige or tan...it rocks! Place those vibrant colors against a beautiful blue sky and now you are talking picturesque. Love it! I keep telling dh we need to paint our house - unfortunately the 5 months of winter don't do justice to candy pink houses!

I heart the Virgin Islands

Just returned from a fab family vacation to St. Croix, US Virgin Islands...it was like heaven. Lots of pics and stuff to follow!

This shot is from Mermaid Beach, one of the private beaches at our hotel, The Buccaneer. The weather could not have been more perfect with 85 degree days, soft breezes and 5 minute rain showers every couple of days.

This was a fabulous place to go with the family (ie: 2 boys aged 9 and 12) who love to play in the sand, ocean and snorkel non-stop! Would be an equally great time as a couple for a romantic getaway. Watch this blog for more!!

Revenge of the Gnomes

More from the flea. Gnomes, so happy, yet so scary! Can't you just imagine a B-movie starring these little fellas. Do you remember the Karen Black "Trilogy of Terror" made for TV movie back in the 70's?? The one with the little voodoo dolls that try and kill her. Substitute the gnomes and you have a perfect scary movie!

Maybe put Paris Hilton in the lead role...she can scream pretty well.

Beware...Dolls & Clowns

Okay, I warned you!! Those who get freaked out by clowns and/or dolls, avert your eyes!!

DH and I recently took a trip to California. Junk Hunter Girl has always wanted to attend the world famous Pasadena Rose Bowl Flea Market, so off we went!! Had a blast, bought stuff, saw tons. Two kind vendors gave me something for free...how cool is that! Which leads me to the photography inspiration for the day. It was Freaky Doll day. Watch this blog for more pics, if you dare!

An Evening with Raoul

My girlfriend and I went to see Raoul Malo (Mavericks) play last night. It was so cool...very intimate setting with just him and his guitar on the stage. He is utterly charming, has a great sense of humor and one of the most beautiful voices I have heard!! He just effortlessly opens his mouth and this great sound comes out!! He played some songs from his upcoming album - a compilation of his favorite songs. Comes out in January - buy it!!

Fall Haul

What is it, you say?? It is the most luxurious luxe hippie coat I have laid eyes on. Gorgeous embroidery, fabulous soft Mongolian Lamb fur on the inside!! Love it!

Yesterday's haul also included some of the cutest 1950's aprons. Aprons are definitely one of those things women never wear anymore. Along with hats and gloves to church, aprons have had their day. I still love the fabrics and unique styles. Maybe I should surprise dh tonight wearing a vintage apron!!

Junk Hunter Girl

I am a person in seach of things. Some may call it junk. I just like old stuff. Some of it creeps me out, like these dolls from France. I don't get the doll thing.

I did buy some 'way cool' hand made paper dolls from the 1930's and 40's. Some young girl from that era had gone through catalogs & magazines and cut individually cut out the clothes and the figures of the little people to dress. Not too many kids would do that these days.

So, this is the blog of me and what I do. Not sure what is to come here??