Gratitude Day-Merry Christmas!

Over at the Beautiful Vidya Sury's Blog, The last Thursday of each month we post about what we are grateful for. Isn't that wonderful! It is Christmas Day and this day is special in so many ways. What better time to post about being grateful for what one has in one's life. I have decided to do the ABC's of Christmas and I am winging it so here goes:

1. ADVENT-4 Sundays before Christmas one celebrates the coming of Christ's birth. I actually make my own Advent wreath and it hangs from the ceiling. One is supposed to light a candle each Sunday until all 4 are lit, but since my candles go wonky and I don't want a fire...I pretend they are lit.
2. BEAUTY- We all complain about, well, everything, but we forget the beauty of the season, the beauty in people and in a simple snowflake
3. COOKIES- Ha! Thought I would say Christmas-fooled ya! Who can't long for a good cookie, I do and I don't care if it adds fat to my fat.
4. DESSERT-From the 50lb brick called Fruitcake that never seems to go bad to trifle and Christmas pudding..what's not to love?
5. ELVES-Those strange little men who don't mind working every single day just for toys. They really need a Union.
6. FAMILY and FRIENDS- From the holy family to our dysfunctional family, Christmas is about being with loved ones and thanking them (well the nice ones) and this includes our dear friends and blogger friends-Thank you!! By the Way thanks Vidya for your sweetness, it touched my heart and I will be a guest on her blog in the near future:)
7. GOODNESS-We can be touched throughout the year by the people who have touched our lives and have made us smile. This is the goodness in people which we must always remember. I am more spiritual but this time of the year makes many people think of God and be thankful.
8. Holly-Holly looks so good but they are prickly...damm Holly:)
9. Icicles-Thought I would be saying Ivy eh? Fooled ya again! I love how icicles look-so clean and pretty unless one falls and knocks you out, that wouldn't be good. I have to dream about them today as it is almost 50F-I want cold and snow!
10. JOLLY-Why do we think that only fat men can be jolly, like Burl Ives? Anyone can be jolly we just have to set our mind to it. I guess I should have picked Jesus-he is a little more important but everyone would pick him:)
11. KRIS KRINGLE- He goes by many names and he may be wanted by Interpol...just saying?
12. LIGHTS-I love the little lights that twinkle. Some like all white, others like multi-coloured or just one colour. Some will have the lights go off to music and others will decorate the outside home so that the Martians can see us and try to conquer us (Ever see that film "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians?) . Some still love the old fashioned ones that could burn your fingers off
13. MARY-Nope not Merry but Jesus's mother. She is the mother of ALL mothers and sacrificed all as all mothers do. Too bad it was immaculate conception (I wrote consumption and then thought..that's not right) she didn't even have fun first.
14. NUTS-Oh...so much can be thought of with that one word but I am thinking of Chestnuts, Walnuts, Hazelnuts, beernuts..oops not the last one. This is the time we all love to crack open some nuts even the men
15. ORNAMENTS-They are so beautiful! We all have favourites because they bring back memories. Even the tacky ones and we all have at least one that we hang in the back of the tree.
16. PRESENTS- Under the tree and in the stockings-they are great and I love presents but what gives me more joy  is giving and seeing how happy the person is in receiving it and usually they are not faking!
17. QUALITY- Whether it is in the fabulous food we eat, the tree we bought we all want good quality especially quality of life and what better way to appreciate what we have. Just remember this if you dare go out shopping the next day which I avoid.
18. RUDOLPH-His bright red nose, how can one not like this slightly effeminate reindeer and the cartoon is as old as me. Personally I think he went more for Hermie than Clarice.
19. SANTA- I love Santa, St. Nicholas, Sinter Klaas, Weinnachtsmann (see the letter K above). This redneck changes from being fat in a red suit to being thin travelling alone or with Angels or, in German Bavaria with Krampus-an Evil devil.....Yeah not sure I get it either but has to be some midieval thing going on here
20. TANNENBAUM-The Christmas Tree where we hack down a tree from nature bring it into our homes and decorate it with tinsel, lights and ornaments. Sounds kinda nutty actually.
21. UMBRELLA-It came into my head today because it's raining which sucks...I want snow!
22. VELVET-This is the time we love to wear velvet dresses and it feels rich. We even think Santa or whatever his name is on his passport, wears. I even think men could wear their 70's light blue velvet suit and get away with it.  On second thought, nope still hurts my eyes.
23. WENSECSLAS- That good king who looked out on the frost of Stephen? Who is this guy?? Oh yes he was a good King who probably went Wassailing....what the gumdrops is that?
24. XMAS-Yeah, I hate spelling it that way too but it fits with X
25. YOUTH-Why do I choose that word? So many people say "Christmas is for Children". This is when I daydream about wringing their necks and slapping them upside the head. They miss the meaning and lost it when they decided to "grow up". My dad used to say "If Christmas is for kids, then I am the biggest kid of all". He loved the whole spirit of it, the music, the decorations, and the meaning behind it which is very Holy. Peace and goodwill to men. I am young in heart and will always love Christmas and gift giving and the music
26. ZITHER-HUH???- I love this musical instrument made famous by the film "The Third Man". Music is a part of Christmas. When I was in Prague, a few years ago, There was a man on the St. Charles bridge playing this musical instrument. It was a highlight of my trip to see him play around gorgeous surroundings. He had a Christmas CD and I love it and play it during the holidays and it is all with this instrument.

See how much I have to be grateful for. Merry Christmas and to all a Good Night!

Christmas Memory-so, so sick

I am participating with a Christmas memory blogfest hosted by Cherdo on the Flipside. I am a bit late with this since it has been a very busy weekend for little ole moi. I must get caught up on all the reading and i am late posting this!. Anyway, This is a fun way to find out everybody's Christmas memory. Mine is all about a book!

It was Christmas 1972 and all through the house...was chaos with my mom getting everything prepared for Christmas Eve, wrapping all the gifts and having her usually 3pm crying melt down. This was tradition! My dad was all dressed up wondering why she was all upset as he had another coffee and continued to read his Winston Churchill books. This was still the time when we would all get into the car, Christmas Eve, to have dinner at my Uncle and Aunt's before we came home and started to unwrap the gifts into the wee hours of the morn. 

My mom made sure everything was decorated, the house clean, all the cookies were baked and she helped run the sawmill business with my dad. What is a busy lady to do but cry at 3pm every Christmas Eve day and then want to hit my dad with the rolling pin when he was all dressed and asked her why she wasn't ready? Now let's add to this mix that I was very, very sick and, apparently, had over 104 temperature. 

I do recall, when my mom was crying and her hands shaking that I got off the living room couch to do the dishes for her even though I did not feel well. I did a few dishes before she kindly told me to go back to the couch. My brother was so looking forward to that dinner so my dad and my brother went and my mom stayed home with me. My dad would call to see how I was and if they needed to bring me to the hospital. While my brother and my dad were feasting on turkey, I was upchucking and I was trying to avoid dreaming about any sugar plum fairies. My mom wrapped wet warm towels around my calves with a dry towel on top to suck the fever out(her Oma would do this and yes...it works!!). She had to change this often since the towel dried up so quickly. 

Baron and daddy finally came back and we were all exhausted except for my brother. For the first and only time, we agreed to actually open the gifts on Christmas Day. I was so dizzy that I did not want to open them. I know!! I am an 8 year old kid and wanted to wait so you know I must have been one sick puppy. Well, my brother, the ever diplomatic salesman just asked if we could open just one gift. He pleaded his case to great effect and looking at his face we all relented and said, "OK, just one". We each opened up one gift and this is without my mom having any bags for the bows or for the paper. We were trained from the beginning, to save the paper so we never tore the paper and I still have wrapping paper from that time! (Yes, I am ill in so many ways). Once that first gift was opened, my wonderful brother pleaded for just one more and so it went. 

Halfway through (again going by memory here), I opened a gift from my brother and it turned out to be the book you see above. My eyes grew wide and my mouth dropped open and nothing else mattered but this book. I loved watching old movies and never even thought that there would be actual books out there on actors and actresses. I was transfixed and no other gift mattered, only this book. My mom had to tell me to open other gifts which I did but I went right back to my book. By the end of the night, all the gifts were unwrapped, my mom was in a tizzy because she did not have her bags for ribbons and paper all ready, my dad was happy and so was I. My mom didn't care how the place looked though because I had no more fever! I went from almost spending Christmas is the hospital to having no fever and receiving one of the best presents I ever got. My mom and dad believed that we all should receive books but my brother instilled my passion for it. My collection of film books is large and it all started with this one book. I love it and love my brother for not giving in to our wish to open our gifts Christmas Day. It was a special Christmas Eve of giving and bringing joy and  bringing my health back. Have a Very Merry Christmas!

My Favourite Christmas Movies

It is this time of year when we bring out our favourite Christmas movies to watch all over again and we never tire of them. Some we watch every year and others may be a few years but we always love them. I am centering on the actual films that came out in the movie theatre as opposed to the TV movies or specials which I might do later on along with animated specials:) Now I am certain I will be missing some movies that are your favourites so please let me know which ones you love.

I will start with some honourable mentions. They did not make my top 10 but they should be, well, mentioned: The Santa Claus films with Tim Allen especially the first one is quite a hoot, The Home Alone series which is funny but not my favourite and I am not a Macauley Culkin fan, The Grinch-It's ok but I prefer the cartoon, Bad Santa-it is really funny but so, so nasty even though the kid does find a friend who is a drunken robber, Polar Express which is magical and Love Actually which I adore but for some reason I don't associate with Christmas even though it ends with Christmas..that's just me. I do not place The Sound of Music here at all. It is a wonderful film but takes place in summer, has no Christmas music-it has Nazis. This film used to be shown at Easter and now it is shown at this time because the executroids have no idea where to place it. Anyhoo, without further ado here is my top 10!

                                                             10. ELF-2003

 

I can't help myself, it is stupid in some places, well many places but I laugh. Will Farrell plays an idiot (what else is new) who is told he is not an elf but a human and to go to NYC to find his dad played by James Caan. My favourite part-when he thinks the future Game of Thrones guy is an elf and gets his butt whipped.

9. THE BISHOP'S WIFE-1947

 

 

This stars Cary Grant, David Niven and the sanctimonious Loretta Young but, even though she is in this film, I truly enjoy it. David Niven plays the bishop who is having trouble and prays which brings an angel, in the form of Cary Grant, down to help him. Niven's character soon regrets this as he sees the angel fall in love with his wife. I enjoy it when Monty Whooley's character knows that Cary Grant is an angel-well acted.

 

 

8. NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION-1989

 

 

All these films just make me laugh and this is no exception. Chevy Chase is so funny and the things that happen we can, scarily enough, all relate to- to some degree. I know my parents added so many extension chords for lights that I am surprised the house never caught fire. I have to say my favourite scene is when the tree goes up and the Uncle (Great William Hickey), wonders what's wrong while he is on fire.

7. A CHRISTMAS STORY-1983

 

 

This is a great story that many of us can relate to when we were kids and yes, I did put my tongue on the pole but when I realized my tongue was actually stuck, I cupped my hands around my mouth and blew my hot air that I am in abundance with and it came unstuck. We all wanted one toy that we had to have and this film brings it all to the forefront. The parents are hilarious especially Darren McGavin as the dad who is so happy to have his leg lamp. My favourite scene-when the little brother can't get up off the snow because he is so bundled up....it happened to me. oh and it was film where I live now.

 

6. HOLIDAY INN-1942

 

 

This is the film where White Christmas was introduced and it is beautifully done. It is all about a duo act played by Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire and Bing has had enough and retires to a farm not realizing how much work it would be. He decides to remake the farm as a club that is only open on holidays. The result? You hear White Christmas for the first time, see Fred Astaire dance brilliantly with Marjorie Reynolds to a Valentine dance and a 4th of July dance (where he lost an additional 40lbs due to the number) and a cringe worthy singing about freedom for Lincoln's birthday. To see Bing in blackface and Marjorie Reynolds done up in black face and hair that is very racist for today tells one of the times. One has to realize that in their simple minds, the people who created this whole scene were probably trying to help the African Americans. Time is not kind to this scene. My favourite scene is actually when Fred dances with Marjorie Reynolds as I love dance.

 

5. WHITE CHRISTMAS-1954

 

 

This is the film everyone knows the song by and it is filled with fun, songs and dances. Bing never liked to rehearse much and he didn't like to do many takes so the others would  do what they needed to while Bing was on the golf course. Rosemary Clooney(George's Aunt) has a superb voice but couldn't dance while Vera-Ellen could dance but could not sing (she was dubbed). The one think that distracts me about this film is how painfully thin Vera-Ellen is. If you notice she only wears turtlenecks or something high because she was too thin that her shoulders and neck looked horrible. I believe she had anorexia. Now enough about that, my favourite scene is the one above-"Sisters" with Bing and Danny Kaye (amazing man) and when Bing cracks up at the end, he really is-they kept it in the film!

 

4. GOING MY WAY-1944

 

 

Not too many people see this film nowadays and it is a shame! Bing and the wonderful Barry Fitzgerald won Oscars for their roles and it is filled with humour, gentleness, music and ends with Christmas. Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ral is one of my favourite Christmas songs and Bing sings it to Barry's character after he was a bad boy and left home (you have to see the movie!). From the kids stealing turkeys, to the priests playing golf, it is such a feel good film. The great Mezzo-soprano star Rise Stevens (pictured-she died this year at 100) sang Carmen in this film and Ave Maria. I have to admit my favourite scene is when her character and Bing's meet up after a long absence. You find out quickly they were once involved and she is dressing while he waits outside in her dressing room. She talks about the letters she got from him and when she stops at Budapest and she goes all dreamy, I made up my mind that one day I will go to this magical place...and I did when I was 18!









 3. A CHRISTMAS CAROL-1951

 

 

 

 

There are so many versions of this classic one can compile a list on just this book but my favourite is this 1951 version with the great Alastair Sim. He can convey such nastiness, humour, fear and happiness all at once- it is a tour de force performance worthy of an Oscar. This film should never be bastardized by being made in colour! The black and white is how it must be seen to show all the shadows and darkness and light. I have to admit I was frightened by the Ghost of Christmas future-his bony finger was enough to set me off into fear land. My favourite scene? When he wakes up, finds himself alive and proceeds to be exuberantly happy that he scares his housekeeper half to death.

 

 

2. MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET-1947

 

 

This is the best version and it must be in black and white! Edmund Gwenn is THE best Santa who is gentle but knows how to stick up for himself and the underdog. The beautiful Maureen O'Hara who is still alive and just received an honourary Oscar is part of a romantic team with John Payne playing the lawyer who defends Kris Kringle and falling for the spunky O'Hara. The cute child is played by a young Natalie Wood who was excellent as the child who wants to believe but is scared to. My favourite scene-Early when Kris Kringle is seeing all the little children and a young refugee from Holland, who is an orphan, believes that he knows her favourite Christmas song and he does. They sing it and he brings joy to the little girl's heart.

 

1. IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE-1946

 

 







You knew this would be #1 didn't you? :) This is my all time favourite film never mind Christmas movie. I watch it every year and am never tired of it. How could I be? It is about a man that, although he does good to all the town and is fair and loving, he hates his life and resents it until he sees what it would be like without him. We could all learn from this. This is the first film James Stewart made after coming back from Word War 2. It was his favourite film too. We can gripe about how unhappy we are in our life, job, significant other. We dream about travel and what we want to do not what we have to do and we can easily forget how much we have helped others not even knowing how much. This is another film to be seen only in black and white never colour! From the Charleston dance, to the bank run to where George Bailey sees his brother's grave, there are so many great scenes but I was always captivated by the scene when he is in the cold world and no one knows who he is. He leaves his mother's place and there is a close up of Jimmy Stewart's face, the music is eerie and haunting and one half of his face is lit and the other side is dark. you hear Clarence say "You see, George, you really did have a wonderful life. Wouldn't it be sad if you throw it all away?"  When he sees all the people at the end, I cry every time out of joy.

IWSG-Sunday was the first of Advent

This is the final IWSG for this year and what a year. This is a great place to showcase one's fears and offer encouragement to many writers and the average Joe, like me, who likes to be part of this great post which is hosted by the Merry Ninja, Alex J Cavanaugh.

I love Christmas...I mean love! This time has meaning to me and is very dear to my heart. I am a proud Canadian but I love my German heritage so I make my own advent wreath which I hang from the ceiling and light a candle each Sunday until all 4 are lit. I still fill my hubby's shoe with chocolates and he finds it Dec 6th (on top of the coffee maker) for St Nicholas Day. I have my Christmas Village (which I painted and I even have the local Cathouse in it which I think, every village should have one), my Nativity scene, I bake and have all the extra trimmings. Did I say I love it?:)

I had written a poem a few years ago and I hope you like it even if the grammar is not right:)-I am showing my insecurity....

The Spirit

Silence of the night
penetrates
to my delight
my heartfelt
thoughts of long ago.

Advent starting right
now with songs
that reach the height and setting
happy dreams aglow.

When the stars shone bright
on the tree,
they danced alight
the tinsel
hanging row on row.

Our only fight
was to seize
a tempting bite
of cookies
shaped from sugared dough.

Presents cast a sight
taking on
a wondrous might
and giving
smiles that melted snow.

Feelings taking flight
emblazon
the twilight
enchanting
visions few do know.

Oh, in case you are wondering, my cathouse is the bright pink house in the back. I also have a hobo on a park bench covered in a newspaper which is in front of City Hall (not pictured). I know...but I can't help myself.



This song, sung by Ivan Rebroff, is one of my all time favourite, if not my most favourite song. It is sung in German and it is a Russian folksong. Hope you listen and enjoy:)

Gratitude Post

I truly and honestly enjoy reading Vidya Sury's posts as they are always uplifting even when faced with hardships. She finds great quotes that are truly inspiring. Now she and another lady, Corinne, have started a gratitude post which you post on the last Thursday of the month. It can be your own experience, a story, poem, whatever as long as it has anything to do with gratitude.

We can often recall, vividly, the bad things that happen whether we see it in people, in the media or even within ourselves. We often overlook the positive and gratitude can bring this about. This is the first post about gratitude and one can reflect on the month that just passed. One can keep a journal and it might even be quite helpful.

I am grateful to be part of this blogging world, to read everyone's post about their lives, their books, their humour. I enjoy reading about film and picking song choices. I see beautiful card creations and other creations made from yarn or beads and am truly happy and smile at the uniqueness of each blog. I love the quizzes and also blog hops. I marvel at how amazing some people are in responding and looking at so many blogs and always being a huge support to so many people (Alex).

So I am grateful to you, to be a part of this world...to create and learn from every blog I visit. I humbly thank you!

Julie Andrews-What a Card!(Nyuck, Nyuck)

The Great Al Hirschfeld drawing of Julie Andrews in "Star"

Colour Q-Use Early Espresso, Dusty Durango, Old Olive, Cool Caribbean and white
Dream Valley- Anything Goes

I love Julie Andrews...who couldn't?? Of course my first memory of her is from The Sound of Music. I love that film in all its sweetness and miss steps. At the end, when they are heading over the hills...they would actually be going towards Germany. I would not have wanted Baron Von Trapp giving me directions.

Al Hirschfeld-He is one of the greatest artists..I mean one of THE greatest!!! He created great caricatures from the 1920's to the 2000's. My dream was to be drawn by him. I mean he has done everyone from Louis Armstrong to the Beatles, Bob Hope to the cast of Friends. He drew Julie Andrews more than 50 times from her beginnings on the New York Stage to film and back to the stage. I decided to draw her for a card and get my creative juices flowing as it were. I did not trace but just looked at Hirschfeld's drawing and drew on white cardstock. I could not find a regular pencil so I had to use a colouring pencil and could not erase anything. So poor Julie looks a little more sullen (reminds me of one of nun teachers I had) and her hands looked like they were ready to snatch a rabbit from above so I decided to hide them.

Last week there was a challenge from Simon Says saying "In the Stars". Of course, I was too late:) Julie Andrews starred in a film called "Star". It is based on the life of Gertrude Lawrence who originated  Anna from "The King and I". I have not seen the film "Star" in decades (ugh that makes me sound like I am 250 yrs old) but I recall it being pretty good but not mind blowing. I have to give it another gander before I give my 2 cents worth.

I decided to be inspired by Ms. Andrews since she is such a great star and had one of the most beautiful voices. What a shame that a Dr. screwed up her vocal chord surgery (to remove polyps) and she can never sing again. Think how devastating that must have been to this fine lady. Anyhoo, I believe I got all the colours correct and could enter this card in one challenge:) I missed Colour Q too-hahahaaaaa...oh well but I got Dream Valley (Yahoo). Oh when Al Hirschfeld's daughter was born, she was named Nina. From that time on he always included her name somewhere in his artworks...sometimes more than once....Can you find it in his artwork here (not mine but his)??

White means purity....I was this once

Different white cardstocks-(glittery, shimmery, pearl). Sizzex machine to cut, nestibility design. Glitter (of course) and pearls

 

White cardstock, light blue transparent paper. Cuddlebug, sizzex machine, cut out frame window, town scene and tree. coloured in blue with pastels. Silver glitter and stickers in silver

Holly Jolly Christmas- Colour Choice-Blue, White & Silver
Dream Valley- Anything Goes
Crafty Hazelnut Challenge- Anything Goes as long as it's Christmas
Christmas Cards All Year Long- No Patterned Paper
ABC Christmas- "W" for All White
52 Christmas Cards- Window as a focal point

OK, I can't believe I did an all white card because, to quote Mae West,-I'm as pure as the driven slush! I went to another stamping garage sale (lord help my wallet) and I bought some more nestibilities for $3! The 3 bucks wasn't phony either! They normally sell for $25! I had to try the all white card and I think I did a pretty good job and no patterned paper!

I, in case no one yet knows this, love blue so I had to pick blue, white and silver which, by the way, is my favourite metal to wear (I leave my Brunhilde breast plate in my closet). The snowy scene looks so nice....on the card. We got hit with some snow but it is that wet dumpy ass snow that melts inside your shoes as soon as you step outside. I hope I captured a window scene in all its pure delight for my second card. I am gushing-white, pure....what is going on with me? Those words should burn up as I write them. Oh well, These cards were fun to do. I am working on a Star card and hope to have that up soon:) Think Al Hirschfeld

Christmas is a coming....faster than we think!

Red and green cardstock, Red foil, background stamped and perfect pearls used. Merry Christmas Stamped in Gold and embossed with Egyptian gold powder. Cardinal stamped and coloured with tombow markers. 2 sided clear sticky tape with glass beads placed on top of cardinal. Border stickers, bow and gems.

Dream Valley Challenges - Getting Ready for Christmas
Crafty Hazelnut Christmas 2- Anything Goes ( always Christmas)
Christmas Cards All Year Round - No Patterned Paper
Alphabet Challenge - "T" for Traditional
52 Christmas Card Throwdown - Colour Challenge-Red and Green with Gold or Silver

Drak blue cardstock embossed with cuddlebug. sponged my favourite colours-2 blues (my fav), lavender, plum and a green. Coloured snowman and snow in white. Used sparkle, stickers to set all off.

Winter Wonderland- Snowman
Fairytale Stampers- Favourite Colours
Eclectic Ellapu- Pink Team-Favourite Colour Combo
Crafty Hazelnut Christmas 1- Keep It Flat
Craft Your Passion- Something beginning with the letter "B"

First, I hope I did not offend anyone with my last post but I just couldn't believe what my doggie and pussy cat did! I missed the 52 Card challenge last week with their sketch so I combined last week with this week's challenge and made the card traditional with the colour combo. Craft Your Passion is right up my alley since my name starts with a B (and no not that B but at times I can be one:)). The first card has a bow and a bird and the last card has blue! I LOVE blue. I rarely use patterned paper so Christmas cards All Year Round has a great challenge for me. Most of my cards are flat since I do still mail cards (nope not e-mail, actual mail).  I am into Snowmen recently...um, that didn't sound right and they are a bit cold for my taste. Now I saw a beautiful card done by a fellow crafter, Bekka, who created a snowman card using the same stamp! I think she does an amazing job and you should check her cards out. I actually stole, um, I mean lifted...nope, I mean paid homage by creating a similar vibe with my snowman but I love hers so much better. If you can, too, she created a wondrous card and story about abuse a couple of weeks back. I hope Bekka doesn't mind me gushing about her here.

I do believe I write the way I talk which is scary! Whatever comes into my little head plops down on the page like mashed potatoes.

Porn! Or My Eyes were burnt out of my head!

Another month and I can't believe we are so close to Christmas! This is another round of the Insecure Writer's Support Group headed by Alex J Cavanaugh. I hope my little write up measure up:)

What can I say? My husband and I were on the couch enjoying a TV Show (Ice Road Truckers). We were very comfortable. My hubby was relaying to me how he had to travel similar roads when he worked on the oil fields out in Alberta many moons ago. My hubby and I held hands as we often do which is nice (better than eating chips or other crap). All was quiet except for the TV.

The show ended and it was time for me to go to bed. I smiled to my hubby and gave him a nice gentle kiss. I got up from the sofa to be met with the most horrifying shock of my life! Oral sex was happening in our very own livingroom. I am so sorry to have to share this with you but I must divulge a secret affair that has been going on.

There, on his back, all 4 legs spread out and in perfect smiling bliss was Wallace, our sex crazed hound of hell getting licked deep into his a-hole (sorry) by our  not so innocent cat, Jade. She should know better! I mean...really??!! WT&*^% are you two doing!? I was in shock and tried to mouth some words of disapproval but just the word No, No, No kept being uttered by me. Jade looked up at me wondering what was wrong, Wallace was still too blissfully stupid to even move.

Jade jumped up to my husband to want to head butt him like she usually does. I pointed my accusing finger at the tramp and told my hubby to not let her be near him. Hubby wondered why her face smelled of , well, poo. I told him "Because Jade had her nose so up Wallace's you know what and both were enjoying it!" Needless to say Jade got her face cleaned well. Wallace looked tired and probably could have used a cigarette and I want to burn out my eyes. My hubby just laughed and said "well, you know men". Ughhhhhhh

You do all you can for your little ones and then they have to do something that just leaves you speechless. I shall never look at them the same way. I feel I should buy Jade some high heels and fish net stockings and Wallace, he already got enough treats and he was Jade's trick.  What more is there to say. Below are the next porn stars Wally Wangerless and deep tongue Jade.



                        
                                                               Wallace (Aka Wally Wangerless)

                                                              Jade (aka deep tongue Jade)

                                                           Smut and Slut ( cue the porn music)

I still love them but I think they may have driven me to get therapy.

Doing Scary Things

Happy Halloween Everybody!

I went to with my great friend to the Toronto Zoo last Saturday and saw the Pandas, all the great big pussy cats, the young polar bear and the Gorillas where there was such a tiny cute baby Gorilla-Loved it. I walked way too much and we relied on the transit system which is another story. Yes, I was too sore the next day and probably needed an actual walker as all my joints were grinding but hey, I saw such wonderful animals  and I tried to conquer a fear....Heights! Yup that's me with my friend riding on this zip thingy. That is my scary fear for Halloween day.  I am going out this eve with a group of friends to a bar we like to call the island of misfit toys. They have an older crowd and good music. I am dressing up as Goo from Gumby:)

What is your fear? Have you tried to conquer it? Are you dressing up this eve?

Halloween or Christmas:)

Whimsy Stamps - Anything Goes
Holly Jolly Christmas - Snowman Fun
Glitter & Sparkle Challenge - Use Some Orange
Fairytale Stampers - Something New
Dream Valley Challenges - Halloween
Crafty Hazelnut Challenge 2 - Anything Goes as long as it's Christmas
Crafty Hazelnut Christmas Challenge - Something forgotten or something New
Christmas Cards All Year Round - Embellish It!
Colour Q Challenge - Black, Pumpkin Pie, Certainly Celery, Wisteria Wonder & White
Alphabet Challenge- R for round or rectangle

Yup I actually mixed Halloween with Christmas and I am breaking a rule...but I love breaking rules so there ya go:) I am a Gemini to boot so I am allowed to mix the 2. For the Halloween card-It looks so hard but it's not and I am happy how I created the background with different dye ink pads. I used Orange in that card and the one Christmas card ornament. The die cut Halloween image is new and I never used it so it was fun to get my hands on that.

The second card is following the Colour Q challenge so Black, white, orange, lighter green and a lavender colour was used all for that card plus I had forgotten that I had this one ornament sticker left. It was fun to get the glitter out! I embellished it with brads, ribbon and crystals in peridot colour. One can see rectangles everywhere on my cards. (By the way, Colour Q had a previous challenge that my Halloween card would have worked but I missed it).

The last 2 are snowmen (duh). I embellished the hell out of them as well. The last one I nicknamed Liberace as he is glittered to the max. Now that third card I decided to use a different green and I kinda like it. I used my alcohol inks for a border and feel it sets things off. He is my Jolly Green Giant snowman (but don't call him pea brain-he gets pissed). The last card is in blues as I must have blues in a card. Sorry no guitar or Leadbelly here. Crystals abound along with  navy ribbon. Nope he does not know how to play the piano and he is terrified of the Candelabra-the candles you know.

I will be gone for a few days as I am venturing to the big city to see a friend and then bringing him back here before he heads off to Thailand. It is his yearly visit and I plan on making him my bitch...um...that is wrong....he is already my bitch:) Sorry a little rude but Halloween is near and so the devil made me say that. I will find out what dinner he will like since he will have nothing but Thai food until April. My husband hopes he will pick Lasagne. Everyone I wish you a glorious weekend.

For my Cousins

Eclectic Ellapu-Pink Team-Flowers Purple Team-Texture

Crafty Creations - Thinking Of You

Used Cuddlebug, to emboss and for cutting out. stamped and cut out angel. Corner were done as well with the Sizzex. Pearl drops-Black, white and silver cardstock. The next card-insanity ensued. Used exacto knife and cut out all around the filagree. Stickles used and pop up dots for the angel. Black die ink brushed over the embossed area

This is a fast post as off to Niagara On The Lake for a tourist day:) These 2 cards are for my counsins. My Aunt died on October 11th. She was a sweetie. The cutting out around the embossed area of the second card made me think I went insane but it worked.

See ya soon

Survive & Thrive

 

The blogfest, created by Alex J Cavanaugh, is meant to bring awareness of disease prevention and early detection regarding medical conditions that may be averted or treated if caught in the early stages. Our desire is to motivate people to go in for early screening, and if a condition is caught early and treated, then our world just became a little better place to live.

The topics are wide open. You can post about a particular cause you support. Or you can share a personal or family experience that is near to your heart. What’s great about this Blogfest is you can inspire people to take care of themselves and their loved ones early enough to make a difference in their lives.
Want to bend like a Rubber Chicken? Want to be asked if any family member was in a circus? Well I have the disease for you! The fun thing is you are born with it, few Doctors are aware of it, there is no DNA testing for it (yet) and no blood, urine or stool sample will ever reveal it. Yes, YOU are special! Doesn't it make one feel warm and cozy? There can be many variations to it and the Vascular kind can shorten your life span to a mere 50 years or so. What am I talking about....Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, That's what!

There is the Skin Extensibility, Tissue Fragility and the Joint Hypermobility. I suffer from the Joint Hyper-Mobility. Now This is the most common form and thankfully, for me that is, if I have this type I can't have the tissue type which shortens your life span. I am glad I am not that special.

There is no cure and there is no drug that can stop it, cure it or delay it. You are born with it and it is genetic. One of your parents has it or, I found, it can skip a generation so one of your grand parents could have it. I also believe there are different severities. I can no longer fit into a box....I used to but not any more.

What to look for: I am going by personal experience and I am very hyper mobile so please note I can not stretch my skin like some can. I was always the kid that could pull her fingers out of their sockets ( still can) and I could bend more than most children. I could never break a bone no matter how much the bullies tried to. Shoe hunting was horrible for me and my mother because my joints always felt like they were bruised.  I was weaker than most, hard time playing any sports (not that I cared to).

Teenage years-My feet would feel like burning after walking a fair distance (I thought that was normal). I could not lift myself up to get into a window, Frequently sprained my hands, fingers, ankles. I would dislocate my jaw when going to the dentist. I took longer than most to heal and I do bruise easily.  Teeth horrible. Why? The body does not produce collagen (helps harden teeth) which is the binding agent and taking collagen does not work because the body can't process it.

Pain is the huge issue and can't do most exercises. No weight bearing! Will dislocate your joints. No biking, running, lifting, or anything repetitive-this creates more scar tissue which creates more pain. The only exercise is gentle swimming and gentle walking but no marathons.

Pain-how to describe this feeling...well, it increases with age ...I am feeling so warm and cozy. Ok back to the pain-It is constant and attacks every joint and I mean every-jaw, hips, knees, elbows, fingers, toes and it feels like a constant abscess tooth ache. There can be sudden burst of sharp pain anywhere in the joint too.

What to do? Finding a Doctor who knows is key and one of the most difficult. Research and find out which specialist is near you. A geneticist can help too but also remember that most feel it is a child illness and forget these children grow up and still have it and it gets worse. This has been my main struggle-A good Doctor who listens and knows about the disease and will not try to tell you that you need anti-depressants. (that is when I picture the Dr. being smacked in the mouth with my fist).

Go to the Arthritis Society as they are aware of this disease and can give you insight on what to do and not to do. Physiotherapy can help teach you some non evasive exercises to do.

Pain medicine helps. I know, one should take herbal and all that and I do and the naturalpath really helped but pain medicine is the only thing that can keep me functioning. Do I like taking it? Nope but enough already with mind over matter bullshit! The pain is severe and if you have it 24/7  where you can't even open a jar(haven't for years) due to sharp pains telling you to stop, take the medicine. I am on Cymbalta which took the pain off my feet (no more sharp glass walking feeling). I am on Tylenol #3. I don't want to be on this but I have tried many other ways. I need to work (thankfully desk job) and I need to live not exist. Find out which medicine works for you. I feel it constantly keeps the nerve endings on high pain alert, hence why Cymbalta and other type of medicines for depression may work for pain. Don't let the Dr prescribe medicine thinking you are depressed. If he doesn't tell him he is an ass and walk out proudly.. I did, felt great, Like Tony the Tiger:)

The best medicine....Fun! The bright side approach. The power of laughter and happiness truly helps. This is often what gets me through. A positive outlook helps and keeps me persisting in not stopping. Persistence is key and a positive outlook is key. I love beautiful things and surround myself with that. I love great films, I love crafting, I love nature and animals and family and friends. Don't stop living and dance, just not wild like I love to, I knocked out my hip once doing that.

I wish there is more I could offer. A great doctor, pain medicine (for my hypermobility) and don't over extend your joints. I had no idea when I was young so I lifted, worked hard (sawmill) and thought everyone had this pain. I negated it-don't! Persist, tell Dr's who don't listen to screw off and find one who can send you to the right places. Never give up, Never surrender!

Christmas Balls:)

Whimsy Stamps-Anything Goes

Fairytale Stampers- Something New

Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge-Anything Goes as long as it's Christmas

Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge 2- Something forgotten or something New

Christmas Cards All Year Round- Embellish It!

52 Christmas Card Throwdown- Recipe challenge-A one Layer Card

Alphabet Challenge Blog-  R for Round or Rectangle

I am enjoying my craft room:) Now what did I do here? Well, last week at 52 CCT they had a colour challenge which I missed but it ties into this week:) I love anything sparkly and I love balls, um I mean ornaments (sorry the devil made me write that:)). I used my new sizzex machine and I never used this embossed Ornament sheet so I did! I embossed on basic white cardstock.  I painted the balls in tombow markers (royal blue, some lighter blue one, bright green, magenta and pink). I placed white glitter where it showed white. I used my new gold brush paint and painted the gold directly around the balls  (I just can't help myself). I used a gold and light blue ribbon around the card. I stamped white piece of card stock in blue and placed it on the lower right corner and put the Merry Christmas sticker on it and finished it off with lots of crystals, 3 coloured threads, black beads at the end and the snowflake! Whew-This is not layered! Don't you love it when the balls glitter? OK please don't wash my mouth out with soap.:) I know, I know I am a bad girl and I am shaking my head at being a brat.

One Lovely Blog Award

The Rules for the "One Lovely Blog Award":

1.  Thank the person who nominated you and link to that blog
2.  Share Seven things about yourself - see below
3.  Nominate 15 bloggers you admire (or as many as you can think of!)
4.  Contact your bloggers to let them know that you've tagged them for the One Lovely Blog Award (which if I had been checking all of my comments I would have noticed long before now).

The Lovely Denise Hammond from Yes, Virginia there is Life after Retirement nominated me and that was so sweet. I have nominated others before so, to be truthful, I won't nominate anyone but I still think all my blogger friends are lovely, even the men:) and hope no one is offended. Now 7 things you do not know about me. I am, I think, an open book so I often don't have a filter which  I should develop one day but then, that wouldn't be me so here we go:

1. When Ninja Alex (Alex J Cavanaugh) wrote his A to Z challenge, he would pick a year and ask what occurred that year to make it momentous (lack of a better word). Poor Alex seemed to pick years where I had bad things happen and he responded by saying "I'm sorry". I felt so bad for him but he finally did hit a year where it was a good year:) We all have years like that I am sure.

2.  I love animals-all kinds, well except mosquitos, but they are insects so they can be blotted out of this world. There are other insects in the food chain that can take their place.  Animals give so much and we take from them needlessly and often. If I ever find someone who harms an animal they better watch out. When I was little I was witness to a racoon being repeatedly thrown in the water by an adult. I was angry and tried to stop that man. I will never forget that.

3. I wish I could help the people I see more, my friends and my family especially my mom. I do what I can but I don't like to see anyone hurt. My mom doesn't deserve dementia (who does?) . As for my clients who deal with Collection agents, Collection agencies and agents can be so nasty and there is no reason for it except to spread fear.

4. I love Dancing With The Stars! Love it!! Yes they get people who are no longer stars of any note but I don't care. It is fun and I get to see dancing-ballroom dancing. I have watched "So You Think You Can Dance" but often it is contemporary dance  and they do flips and kicks and raise the chick in the air. I want the Tango-Argentine to be precise (the other makes me think they all will have whiplash). I miss the musicals of Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. The tap dancing of the Nicholas Brothers-You have to youtube those  2 brothers-amazing!

5. When I was young I wanted to see the Voulez-Vous ABBA tour so bad. You know those hip dudes and gals in those ultra blue onesie suits that made them feel hip instead of  freaky Swedish people thinking they are hip. Well, you know what I mean...hmmmmm, I think I found my Halloween costume. Anyway, my mom said "No. There will be drugs there".  I stared blankly at her and said "Mommy, It's ABBA." Really, It's ABBA, They're Swedish and married to each other (at that time anyway), the worst I might find is herbal tea. My brother got to see The Who but I wasn't allowed to see ABBA.

6. You may know a little about my mom but I also love my Dad. Daddy died back in 1988 and I wish he would be here but he would be 101 yrs old( he was 51 when I was born). We had a rocky road when I was a teenager. He didn't know how to deal with a teenaged girl who is similar to him. He was in his 60's at that time. He was a good man who grew up really poor up north. He was chased by wolves and dealt with bears. He was a lumberman who worked in Algonquin Park in the 1930's. He fought for the Canadians in WW2 and was wounded in the last days of the war. He was a man, you may not have agreed with but you could not help but respect him. I will never forget going from the Funeral Parlour to the cemetery and the people were lined up outside their homes in his honour.

7. I like to have fun! I like to be silly:) Life's too serious so why not be nutty? This can often keep me sane:) I love playing games. I even had(had mind you), the Gilligan's Island Game once. Yes I have fallen in a fountain in Toronto (well pushed in actually). My friend tried to help me out and he fell in too (AKA, I took his hand and pulled him in). I decided to dance in the fountain. I felt like Anita Ekberg without the double F ta-ta's

OK so there is a little more about little ole moi.  Now I dare any of you to dance in some fountain, or even your shower. I dare ya...:)

A Card for All of You!

Alphabet Challenge- Quadruple
Crafty Creations - Use Orange
Eclectic Ellapu - Pink Team-Flower and Purple Team-Texture Paste/Embossing
Fairytale Stampers - Flower/Ribbon
Glitter & Sparkle - Anything with a B
Whimsy Stamps Challenge - Anything Goes


I used 4 different papers, 4 Bling. Blue, Brown, Bow, Border and Blooms:) Stamped the Sunflower 6 times, coloured with Gamsol pencils and fussy cut each one and mounted them on sticky foam for 3D effect. Embossed the light blue paper with Cuddlebug. Stamped and embossed leaves on water colour paper. Cut it to make a border and coloured it with tombow markers, ( yellow, orange, green and dark red) using water colour technique. Put it all together and finished it off with sticker border in brass, with 4 gems (not real dang it) and a bow.

I have never had the pleasure of "meeting" Tina in blog land but I have had the privilege  of reading about her wonderful nature from all of you. You gave her a great tribute a couple weeks back and even though she has crossed through that door way too early, I am certain she is smiling down on her family, friends and all the people who cared for her. She is and so are all of you, part of the sky, bursting with joyous colours of Autumn enjoying the sun which warms the earth and brings such sweet flowers.

I enjoyed making this card and it took me quite a while to get it done but I enjoyed every minute of it in my new craft room created by my hubby for me. I love the challenges that I took part in...it was quite fun!

IWSG-I am in Heaven!

OMG-October...already? Have I been taken away by aliens and now feel a time rift? My husband would think I am on a permanent spaceship somewhere. Another time for the Insecure Writer's Support Group where one posts our fears and angst in the world of writing and this was begun by Capt. Ninja, Alex J Cavanaugh. I just write whatever is on my mind of which I am astounded at how much I can write about.

Now many know I love creating cards-my first love in blogland and then I expanded my universe and am having great fun and am still pondering a book on my mom's life. I ponder alot. There is no jumping in but more of a feel with my toes and take my long toes away from the water several times before I slowly walk into the water that I bitch about being too cold before realizing it is just right.

Anyhoo,  I am a firm believer that less is more and needs are better than wants which is why I have many knick knacks, books, dvd's and stamping material to fit my new craft room which you can see below.

God Help me....Imagine when I am 80 and having to move

Now there was a garage sale of over a 1,000 pieces of  rubber stamping material on Saturday. What was a girl like me to do? Yes, like the glitter queen I am (I can say that as I once sneezed over an open glitter jar and it went everywhere), I went to that palace, um, I mean garage sale, and bought more crap for my already large inventory of ,can't have enough, crap to fit in my new craft room. I am giddy like some half-crazed blonde film BB -A-Go-Go freak from the planet craft zombie.  How did I feel when I walked up to that driveway of crafting heavenly bliss? If you watch Puss N Boots with his Christmas ball, you will get the idea. Now I must get busy and create cards



Have a great October!

Card Making A-Go-Go

Eclectic Ellapu- For Purple Team-Lady's Birthday
Alphabet Challenge- P for Pretty Petals

Yellow, mauve paper-used cuddlebug. Stamped flowers and coloured with gamsol pencils. Added corner stickers and border, Happy Birthday, stickles and ribbon.

Whimsy Stamps- Monochromatic

All green-paper scraps, used cuddlebug, perfect pearls, embossed green dye, stickers, green marker, baseball man stamp and embossed in green.

Glitter & Sparkle- Use Pink
Dream Valley Challenge- Lace and Ribbon
Crafty Creations- Vintage

Light pink and brown cardstock. light pink lace wrapped around cardstock, Border punch lace coloured by different dyes, pearl strands, stamped image, apricot brown on glossy white cardstock. finished with pale pink ribbon.

Whimsy Stamps- Monochromatic
Glitter & Sparkle- Use Pink
Eclectic Ellapu- For Pink team-use Hearts

Stamped image and coloured with gamsol pencils. Stamped cupid, coloured with tombows. Stamped and embossed borders. Added hearts and stickles.

Now I am getting my groove on with making cards! My hubby created a beautiful craft room for me-I can't believe the room which I can now fill up with more crap. The first card is for my best friend who loves yellow and purple and flowers are always nice. The second was for my brother whose favourite colour is green and he lives, dreams and eats baseball (well not the latter, that would be gross). The last 2, I got my Kay Thompson in groove (the song "Think Pink" from Funny Face) and actually made really girly cards. The first one is for my cousin who had a baby. The last card is for my friend who lost her pug a couple of weeks back. That pug was her baby and she is devastated. Miss Sydney had a great life though-she ate better than her parents! Miss Syd would have home-made salmon while they ate pizza. Animals are wonderful creatures and deserve the best. Now look it, I am talking more about Miss Syd than the baby that was born..um....of which I can't remember the name...oh well-It's a girl.
 Which is your fav? I bet the guys will pick pink:)