Making Lists

I find that I'm at a stage of life where writing everything down makes sense. Not just for the purposes of remembering things but there is a sense of accomplishment that comes at the end of the day when you can see how much you actually completed. Also knowing that when you wake up the next day, your tasks are already waiting for you. Ofcourse on those days when procrastinatin rules....then you just say ...."list what list? I don't have anything to do, do I?....LOL

Bring on the Rain

I am an all around sunshine person but as I looked around today I noticed that we really need some rain. With all the extreme heat days we've had the farmer's fields look so dry and it's even affecting people's lawns. They say we should get thunderstorms today so that should help. Atleast with the change in air pressure those who suffer from headaches will be relieved. I've also noticed that people are extra strange when the weather gets too hot...LOL...some are silly and others are grumpy.
So I say....bring on the rain......and I'll stay safe indoors and scrapbook..LOL!

Being Content

Well, I'm glad the weekend is here. Sometimes we fill our weeks with so much stuff that we don't get the time to just stop and reflect. When we do do this it's easy to start listing the things we are thankful for.....but are we really content? Hmmm....that sometimes can be a hard question to answer. All around us we are confronted to have more or "need" better. I think there is a very fine line between setting a personal goal of achievement to reach for and being content with what we have and where we are at in life. That's why it's nice to try and take some time each weekend and ponder the thought "how content am I?" To me, being content isn't about going without but experienceing the blessing within. I hope contentment comes your way this weekend.

On a side note....I'm having a great time doing the circle journal swap at Scraphoria. Here's my latest creation:

International Family

Well....some have asked about the picture to the right of these posts.

Currently it's me and my 2 "northern daughters". You see for almost 10 yrs DH and I have hosted international students in our home, from 2 wks to 3 mths. We love learning all about different cultures and these "kids" really find their way into our hearts. So far we have 1 son and 2 daughters (Nob, Miyuki and Miki) from Japan, and 2 northern daughters from Nunavut...(in the pic, Melody is on the L, and Mag is on the R). When we visited Burkina Faso, West Africa in 2003 & 2004 we "adopted" a young man into our hearts, Abraham whom we have sponsored through English school and now he is attending bible college. This past spring he married Flora, and although we haven't met her she is a special daughter-in-law.

When we recognize what all we have and how plentiful it is then it is so much easier to open our hearts to others!!

Happiness is.........

You Are 92% Happy

It's unlikely that you know anyone happier than you. You know how to be happy, no matter what life throws at you.

How Happy Are You?

Well Patti posted this on her blog so I thought I'd see if I was really as positive and happy as I thought I was.....hmmmm....guess this is a pretty good percentage! Look deep inside yourself today and see how truly happy you are....or try the quiz yourself. Enjoy!

On Line Friendships

It is so amazing to me, the wonderful people you can meet online. It is such a great way to share encouragement and inspiration.I always enjoy browsing other friends scrapblogs to see what they are creating. So if you stop by...please say HI.
One of these days I'll learn more about this silly computer and figure out how to post LO's and attach pics. Untill then I'm chatting and scrapping at Scraphoria.ca
All links should be working now.

Overdue

Why is it I can never seem to keep up on my blog? It was always like this when I was younger and tried to keep a diary too. Oh well, life if at a crazy pace these days and I must say that isolation is looking like a pretty good thing.

We had an awesome weekend in Manitoba!! It's amazing how God knows exactly what we need and when we need it. Dh and I had a great time together and with the people we met there. It looks like there could be change in our future. We have agreed to go, just have to wait for some final paper work.

God is so good!

Road Trip!!

Yup....that's right! Next to scrapbooking, roadtripping is my favourite thing to do.

This time however we are going by air. DH and I leave tomorrow to fly out to Winnipeg for the weekend........can't wait to get there! I'm so excited!!
We are actually going for job interviews at a camp. We have been in the process for about 2 months now and this weekend is one of the final steps so that we can see what the environment is like and meet some of the other staff. We have been praying about this for some time now so it is exciting to see the possibility coming even closer. I believe that God's timing is perfect, so it's a matter of waiting and being open to new possibilities. Ofcourse it will mean another huge change for us but I know we are both ready. A bonus to the weekend will be connecting with some online scrapping friends!!
Can't wait!! Can't wait!!

What a Week!

It's been so good to get back into my "element". I so love camping. We had a super weekend of enjoying life to the fullest. The Camp Store seem to be a big hit....I never relised how popular fuzzy peaches, ring pops and jolly rancher twist ups could be...LOL! But the best part was meeting so many people. It'a kind of like a family reunion after a long cold winter.
Being that Monday was a holiday, this week seems to be going fast! Which ofcourse I am not complaining about. The older I get, the more I look forward to weekends and spending more time with DH!!

Exhausted!

Well....I said yesterday that the next few days are going to be crazy and today proved that to be quite true. Whew! Even my fingers seem to be a chore to lift as I type this entry.
I am very much looking for ward to this holiday weekend. I know I'll be spending most of my time at the camp. I just hope and pray that the camp store will be off and running on the right foot.
OK...for now...I need to sleep!!

STOP...

the world from spinning so fast! Wow....so much has happened in life over the last week and a half.
First off I was tortured by some kind of virus that was just nasty....no need for details...basically could do nothing for 4 days but sleep and run to the washroom. Now you'd think with all that exercise...of both kinds....that I would have dropped a few pounds....NOT! Such is the story of my life.
Anyways, I've been blessed with a new friendship and it is just reviving my soul!! You gotta love when people are in your life and they make you smile.....and they can carry an adult conversation.
Camp Store opens on the holiday weekend...this Sat. So we've been super busy preparing for this. There will be a few long summer days ahead of us...but it's worth it!
DH and I are also experiencing the beginning of a new journey. Can't wait for a few more weeks to pass so I can start telling everyone.

Bug........ugh!

Well it seems I've caught something. It has had me down and out for almost 3 days. I can't remember the last time my stomach and back hurt so much. I hope I can shake it. I feel very tired and weak....and over all just not myself.

There is alot going on in my world right now and being sick is an interference...grr!

Fridays

I love Fridays!! There is just something about the anticipation of the weekend that gets me excited. Each weekend is filled with different activities so it gets me away from the ho hum daily tasks of the week.

Mom and Dad are visiting this weekend....well they are expected to arrive any minute. It will be nice to have abit of time to catch up with them. I'm so thankful to have such wonderful parents!!

The Sun is Shining

Oh what a beautiful day! (yesterday's rain and gloom are gone) Today has been very nice out and somehow sunshine always puts people in a better mood. Which is a good thing because I've got a few piles of laundry to do and I need that "good mood" to keep me motivated...ugh!
Alot of people are out starting their yard and garden work. This will be very different for us this year now that we've downsized. Maybe just a few flower pots on the patio but that will be all. I guess I'll just have to grab a few scrap mags and books and enjoy sitting in the sun...gee...that could be hard to get used too...NOT! LOL!

Scattegories

Patti copied this, then Shannon copied this...and now I did it!!


Your Name: Sonya
1.Famous Singer/Band: Sting
2.Four Letter Word: Safe
4.Colour: Silver
5.Gifts/Presents: Scrapbooking Stuff
6.Vehicle: Saturn
7.Things in a souvenier shop: Shells
8.Boy Name: Samuel
9.Girl Name: Sabrina
10.Movie Title: Star Wars (DH's choice...lol)
11.Drink: Sangria
12.Occupation: Surgeon
13.Flower: Sonia Rose
14.Celebrity: Sean Connery
15.Magazine: Scrapbooks Etc.
16.US City: Seattle
17.Pro Sports Team: Seattle Seahawks
18.Fruit: Strawberries
19.Reason for being late for work: Slept in
20.Something you throw away: Socks with holes
21.Things you shout: S!....(you know the rest)
22.Cartoon character: Smurfette

Okay, now you try! (Remember, all your answers have to start with the first letter of your name.) It's always interesting to learn about each other!

Time Flys

SO where has this week gone??
It seems like DH and I packed this week full of activities. Being out every night makes a person quite exhausted and I've almost ignored the computer (and housecleaning) completely.
We've still had alot of our minds. It seems that we will have some major decisions to make soon. I keep praying that I will have a peace in my heart about all that will take place. Can't really say anything until details are final, but for those of you who would like to pray for us....that would be great!
I need to find time this weekend to get some scrapping done. I have 2 circle journals on my desk that I have to complete soon and some stuff to get together for a swap and prizes for a bingo game!! I guess my weekend will fly by too!

Someday....

Well.....today has been one of those days. I mean it's really not that bad but I just feel like I'm only "existing". In the depths of my heart I long to somewhere else doing something else but I feel stuck in this particular "chapter of life".
I seem to be pacing around and taking lots of deep sighs tonight. I know that "someday" we will move onto the next chapter but I guess I need more patience.

Home Again

It was very good to have my DH return home!! I admit it...I missed him! When he first walked in the door the lights were off and the blinds were closed. He noticed that the furniture was moved and commented that it looked good. Then I turned on the lights and he said.."OH, you painted! It looks really gooood!"..and smiled that approving smile that warmed my heart. It wasn't perfectly cleaned but he still assured me that it was wonderful.
Today was a full and busy day and this evening we were able to see our African friends again! This warmed DH's heart and has stirred our hearts and minds again for the work that is taking place in Burkina Faso. We just "sowed the seeds" while we were there and now there is so much growth in the lives of the people there.
It almost makes it hard to return to work....but tommorrow the routine will continue.
I don't know what the future holds but I'm thankful that I know WHO holds the future.

Break for Breakfast

OH what an incredible morning!! I am just glowing from my heart out. Thismorning I not only took a well deserved break from painting but I had breakfast with some dear friends from Africa. It was soooooo good to reconnect again and I'm reminded of why my heart was so stirred the first time I visited Burkina Faso!! I can hear the drums and music and see the faces of the children and workers like it was just yesterday. Oh how I would long to go and visit again.
Well...in the meantime I have furniture to rearrange and some last minute cleaning to do before DH returns tonight. The sun is shinning here today so I'll be enjoying the warmth on the outside and the inside.

DIY

OK...so I'm not so sure that my calling is to be an interior decorator....that is unless I could hire someone to do all the physical hands on work. Over the past 10 years I have done many a renovation and redecorating project.....with the help of DH and the task has always been fun and not very difficult.
Well...........my little "while you were out" project has not been as fun. I think the fact that I'm trying to complete it all by myself in 5 days might have been an unrealistic goal but none the less it is almost completed. Hopefully by the wee hours of Friday night (Sat. AM) all will be done and back in place and sparkling clean. I sure do hope DH is suprised and really likes it....if not....I'm going away for a week....LOL!!

Reorganize or Redo?

So, have you ever noticed that when you start moving furniture that you notice the walls?
Last night I invited my youngest sister over to help me move the sofas and bookshelves and as we accomplished that, we looked at the walls... UGH! Sooo.....an hour or so later and after a trip to Walmart...we began to fill all the nail holes and started sanding the drywall (Untill the wee hours of the morning). All the baseboards have been taped off and when I return from work today I will sand abit more and then hopefully begin with the primer tonight. First coat of paint on Wed, second coat Thurs, and hopefully all will be dry and complete by Fri. Then comes the fun job of putting all the furniture back and cleaning.

Whew, so much for a relaxing week!

Quiet Week

I recieved a phone call last night confirming that DH has arrived in North Carolina. He has been so looking forward to this golf trip for months, so he will be gone for 9 days.
I hate to admit that I've already enjoyed the quietness....not that he's a loud person because he's not. I just find things very peaceful. The "furrykids" have been missing him so I'm getting lots of attention from them.
So, besides work, whatever will a girl do all week? Well.....I'm thinking about re-organinzing some furniture, getting my hair cut and highlighted, probably a pedicure too, try and get together with a friend for lunch, and catch up on some scrapping!
I think I'm looking forward to this week!!:)

Another Day

Wind and rain.......whew! All through the night I could hear the wind....it was amazingly strong! Today looks to be one of those dull and dreary and rainy days. I think this afternoon will be spent indoors doing some quality scrapping.

I do enjoy scrapbooking so much. I never thought when I first started almost 7 yrs ago that I would be still so into it, but the whole industry has grown so much. There are so many inspiring magazines and websites. I've enjoyed making online friendships with others who share a love of the same craft as me. The best parts of my day are "checking"in with others as the first and last parts of my day.

Complaining, Complementing, and Comments

OK....for some it is freedom of speech and their "right" to be heard but it never ceases to amaze me how sharp and harsh some people can be as they share their opinions. More and more we experience someone, somewhere who is coming across far more negative than we can handle. But how do we respond? Do we come back at them with a lash of words? do we try to "one up them" with our own opinion?... or do we ignore it all together?
Recently I was faced with this situation and my inside voice said to speak up...but first took a deep breath and then leaned forward...I looked the person straight in the eye.....and felt every nerve in my body start to twinge, and then I said....

"I know you to be a good person, who has always been so caring and it amazes me that you would say something so critical and demeaning of another person"

The situation was silenced for a moment, and then the rebuttal and excuses for behaviour started. I let them finish without saying a word and then I excused myself to leave. I think I was just very shocked over the whole situation.

On the flipside..... today David and I went to a favourite restaurant/bar in town. I watched with amazement at how well the waitress handled herself amongst the customers, remaining polite and couteous even with some high demands around her. When the opportunity came and she arrived at our table, I took the time to let her know how much we appreciated her service and that it is because of her that we come back almost weekly. She was gracious in recieveing the compliment and her smile shared the feelings of her heart.

So must we continue to allow negative stuff all around us? Can we begin to change the world with random acts of kindness or no more complaining? I don't know but maybe if we try it just may start something.
(Your comments are welcomed)

Easter Blessings

Well...........never expected to see so much snow for Easter but it was a pretty white day!(ugh)

We celebrated thismorning at church and enjoyed it very much, but after that it really didn't feel like a holiday. It was the first time in quite a few years that we were not with any family so the day was very quiet. I phoned my sweet niece and nephew, and talked for abit with my BIL and sister.
We did watch abit of the Master's Golf Championship on TV....but that was it!

Admist the day seeming rather dreary.....I'm thankful for a risen Saviour! It amazes me that God would love me so much that he would give up his own son so that I could have victory over sin!! Amazing love...amazing grace!

A Night on the Town...

OK.....maybe not "on" the town, but we did go to town. We've been trying to focus on more "us" time. That was one of the reasons why we downsized. So here on a Monday night, we went to an auction. It wasn't a very big one, but none the less there were some nice items there. It was fun watching people and we tried a few bids on some smaller items but in the long run we came home with nothing. Even going to the auction can be affected by downsizing.......I kept saying to myself..."where could I put that?"...and my answer was "no where...there's no room...ugh!"

March Already....whew...

Can't believe how quickly time is going by...whew. In my last post I used the word "settled" when talking about our new home. Well we have resigned ourselves to the fact that this will take longer than we anticipated....so maybe by late Spring we will be under control of all the "stuff".

The weather over this past month has been pretty nasty with alot of quick building storms that bring snow, ice and wind.....Brrrr! The groundhog said it would be an early Spring but I'm not so convinced. Everyone keeps talking about global warming and all the weird weather patterns....it doesn't make sense to me but I know that God understands and is in control of it all.

New Year

Well it seems that 2006 has slipped by quite quickly. The fall and winter have been a whirlwind of activity.

Our house sold on Nov.2nd and we moved on Nov. 23rd. 3 weeks exactly to downsize our life...whew! We have now located ourselves in a small
3BR condo, still in our community. We are not "settled" yet but trying to organize things, and have begun painting. Soon it will become our home.
It was an emotional move for both of us but we knew it was necessary.

This will be a New Year that will bring positive changes for us!!