School Starts and December Daily Thoughts

Well, we've got the first week school under our belts.

First day of school photos, taken 5 1/2 hours apart.

First day as a Grade 8 student. Madelyn leaves the house at 7:05 this year, which hurts. It's a smidge earlier than least year. School times and bus pick up times have changed. We made it though. She got up 4 mornings, without too much fuss. She even let me do her hair.

This one lucked out, he didn't have to be at school until 1:50. What's the point even? But he got to have one last sleep in, waking up well rested and ready to start school the first day of Grade 11.  Grade 11... That has happened shockingly fast. And that hair... Crazy boy definitely has the hockey flow going this year.

We've also been eased back into our schedule rather slowly. Just school this week, with no commitments in the evenings. We didn't have our first ice time until Friday night. In the past, we hit the ground running, the first day of school. So this was very appreciated. We will now be on the ice until March.

Last year, on the first day of school it was hot. 30 degrees Celsius. This year, it was not. I think the high was 13 degrees. It was chilly, rainy, windy and cold.

It warmed up by Thursday and Friday [the photo below was taken Thursday morning, it's of the Peace Bridge downtown] but the damage has been done. Trees are changing colours and the leaves are dropping like dead flies.

I want to love this time of year, I really do. But I know what comes after fall... The colours are lovely, and it's so pretty, but once the leaves are gone, the snow comes. My entire backyard was full of snow back in April. So much snow, I thought it would never all melt. And people, I don't have to tell you, that was only 5 months ago...

So the idea of snowfall and shovelling, well it doesn't really appeal.

Speaking of snow, Ali Edwards December Daily is all the rage and trending currently. Kits went on sale Wednesday. I LOVE Ali. She has been such a huge inspiration to me over the years. I realize that this is her business, her bread and butter. It just seems like her prices are always creeping up.

Initially, you bought the December Daily kit. The first time I did that, it included an album, page protectors and all the papers, journal cards, embellishments etc.

Then it was changed up, and you could buy all the pieces separately. You could choose between different albums, main kits, mini kits, embellishments, it became quite the ordeal.  Why would I not automatically want an album to house everything? It seemed strange to me, that the album didn't come included. [And if you remember, last year, my album fiasco, I thought I'd ordered one, but somewhere along the way, de-selected it during the ordering process] Last year, the December Daily seemed rather crazed. Only 'limited amounts of this and that'. Only so many albums. Stock was not being replenished. I got caught right up in it, and it was stressful.

This year, I watched a bit warily, as the December Daily hype started to build up toward the end of August. Again with the limited product available. Again with the mark the date and time of release on your calendar. Now you were to 'refresh' your screen lots, in case something became available, after another customer 'accidentally removed it from their cart' [I joke]

But here's the thing. 6x8 albums this year are selling for $24.99 each. Yes, it includes page protectors, but that seems really steep to me.

Plus, international shipping is a $15 flat rate. So that becomes $40 for me to just order an album. And that's $40 in US prices. So, like Heather Land says, "I ain't don it". I'm out.

This year, I'm going to create my own December Daily album. I have several album options. I will plan on preparing it before hand, like I have in the past. I have enough left over DD supplies from past years, that I'll be able to add a bit of flair here and there.

What I've realized, is the most important thing, is to get the stories down. It really doesn't matter what I use to do that, as long as I do that.

I'm already looking forward to this year album and stories.

PL2018 - Week 30

Today is September 3rd. And it's a miserable day. Cold, grey, rainy. Just yuck. But it seems right in line with the 'mood' around here. 

Tomorrow school starts back. Grade 11 and Grade 8. Eeks! No one seems overly thrilled to get back at it. Though I'm ready to get these kids back into a bit of routine, I'm not looking super forward to 6 am get ups... Gross. 

We had a great summer. Could have definitely done without all the forest fire smoke, that settled over the city in August. But temperature-wise, no complaints here. It was hot enough, that Barry and I wondered yet again, if we should invest in an air conditioner for the house. The upstairs was above 28 degrees Celsius more than it wasn't, this summer. Or so it seemed. So hot to sleep. 

The last week or so, it has cooled off considerably. Leaves on the trees are beginning to change. Which seems earlier than usual. Wondering if it's the cooler temperatures, and perhaps the smoky days that has helped this process along.  It was dark and dreary on a few of those bad smoky days. Perhaps that's all the trees needed, to nudge them towards fall. 

I do hope we get a reprieve. I hope today's grey and chilly morning is just a blip on the screen, and that we have a great September and October. Rumour has it, that we're in for another killer winter... So it only seems fair, that we get a nice fall. Fingers crossed. 

This layout is using Septembers featured product Simplify. I have included the links below. Through September, the kit and journal cards and be picked up for 40% off! Awesome! 

Here is my layout for Week 30, which takes us back to the last week of July. A warmer time for sure! 

• Ama and Madelyn made a trip to the zoo this week. 
• Mason had a friend over and they played a board game, in person... 
• My on-going quest to find glasses to read things. All the things. Everything... Only to find, I already have glasses on. 
• Mad and I went to see Infinity War, have to see it before going to see Ant Man and the Wasp.
• Helping Dad solder some wires.
• Camping trip, which was so much fun. Created a layout about it here
• These kids, and their video game playing... I hate it. Desperately trying to minimize the time spent staring at screens with game controls in their hands. 

The following Sahlin Studio products were used: 

Calendar Card Stamps - http://the-lilypad.com/store/2018-Calendar-Cards-Stamps.html

Simplify Kit: https://the-lilypad.com/store/Simplify-Kit.html

Simplify Journal Cards: https://the-lilypad.com/store/Simplify-Journal-Cards.html

Around here... August 2018

It's been a very long time, since I've posted anything other than storytelling/scrapbook projects. I used to use this blog as more of a tool to document daily life. Then I started doing project life. Blogging about our every day seemed a bit redundant, when I was posting weekly layouts of it. I thought I would take a moment to document what's happening "Around here' at this point in time:  

Around here… We are smack dab in the midst of some renovations. We’ve completed our plumbing project [insert trumpets here]  which has been on the horizon for quite some time.  It feels amazing to have one less worry that we’ll come home and slosh through water somewhere in our house. [Not an exaggeration, speaking from experience] 

Around here… We no longer have a ceiling in our family room. It’s gone. All gone. And I’m feeling a mixture of shell-shocked and overwhelmed. Everything in our house is currently covered with a thin layer of fine white drywall dust, and it’s going to get worse before it gets better. 

  

Around here… We’re a week away from the start of school. Although the kids are trying to protest the start of school, I’m finally ready to get everyone back into some sort of routine. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not looking forward to early mornings, or the craziness that will ensue once school, hockey and ringette start, but I’m ready for a little bit of structure. 

Around here... We've had the worst smoke haze laying across the city for the past few weeks. It's been awful, it makes you not even want to go outside and breath it in. We did have a camping trip to the mountains booked, and we went through with it. In spite of the smoke, we had a good time. 

Around here… This week I’ve given both kids a 2 hour limit per day on screens and video games. They are NOT happy about it, but it’s something I should have implemented and insisted happen, two months ago. 

Around here… My heart just walked out the door. Mason is getting in a car with his driving friend. Another teenager… Oy. Being on the ‘parent side’ of things is hard. No one warns you how you’ll literally feel sick to your stomach when this scenario arises, when you’re snuggling your brand new baby…

Around here…I have been reading like crazy. My last trip the library was epic. So many awesome titles. I’m currently reading The Secrets Between Us by Thrity Umrigar, and really enjoying it. 

Around here… Tomatoes on our counter, that we have grown ourselves! So looking forward to enjoying toasted tomato sandwiches for lunch, in the days to come. 

Around here…Preparing my heart for the onslaught of ice times and rink visits that I know await us as we roll into September. This year we get a bit of reprieve though, as Mad doesn’t start the evaluation process on the very first day of school. 

Around here… Figuring out Mad’s new bus stop schedule and trying to figure out where she gets on and off the school bus. The maps come out, but they’re ‘generalized’ not specific. So the first day is a bit of a guess…

Around here… Enjoying making home made burrito bowls and egg roll in a bowl. Barry and I are over the moon about them, and I would put them on constant rotation if I could. The kids, not quite as crazy about them, but too bad, so sad, it’s not all about them… 

Around here…The furnace has come on the last couple of mornings. There is a chill in the air, and the leaves are all beginning to change a bit. I mourn the end of summer, because let’s face it, it’s awesome. But I do love fall. The colours. The crisp air. Crunchy leaves. And, let’s not forget, Pumpkin Spice Lattes…

Around here…This month I was a guest Creative Member for Paislee Press. Felt lucky to have been given the opportunity to create with Liz’s beautiful product. Here are my creations:

Around here…We watched the series Alone, season 5, as a family. We all could hardly wait for it to be on each week. We all had an idea who we thought would be victorious, and we were all wrong. I could never do something like that. My over-active imagination would have me high-tailing it out of there, night one. These people are so competent, and courageous. It's been fun to watch this together this summer.  

Around here…I can’t read anything without my readers on. I have them on every floor. I have them in the car. I have them in my purse. Unbeknownst to me, I sometimes have on two pairs at a time. [Sorry Mum, that I mocked you years ago. I get it now] 

That's a wrap of August's Around here. Maybe I'll be more mindful and be able to do one of these each month. 

PL2018 - Weeks 27 and 29

Oopsie!! I just about forgot to post week 27!

These photos took place at the beginning of July.

I can't complain about our summer, it's been pretty awesome. The last few days, it's cooled off considerably. And the leaves are beginning to change. Summer holidays and summer itself,  are coming to an end...

Here is week 27:

• Barry's view at the Kananaskis golf course. He got to play there this season, after it's been rebuilt. It was devastated by the 2013 floods. 
• Little Miss, is trying her hand at sewing this summer. 
• Mason splurged and ordered a Lego for himself. He enjoyed putting it together.
• Our from little porch area, it's so cute!
• A bike ride up Nose Hill
• A favourite new reading place. 

Week 29:

• Putting the tent up to sleep in the back yard. It's been SO HOT. I surprised everyone by volunteering to sleep in the yard. And I have to say, it was definitely cooler, thank goodness. 
• Gardening first thing in the morning, before it gets too hot.
• Madelyn joined the walking girls this week, we did Edworthy Park, the forest side. 
• Bike ride at Fish Creek with Mason and Barry. We went from one side to the other, which was about 30 km in total. Totally awesome. 

The following Sahlin Studio products were used: 

Week 27 

Calendar Card Stamps - http://the-lilypad.com/store/2018-Calendar-Cards-Stamps.html

Everyday Routine Kit - https://the-lilypad.com/store/the-everyday-routine-kit.html

Everyday Routine Journal Cards - https://the-lilypad.com/store/the-everyday-routine-journal-cards.html

Week 29

Flashback Elements - https://the-lilypad.com/store/flashback-elements.html

Flashback J. Cards - https://the-lilypad.com/store/flashback-journal-cards.html

PL2018 - Week 28

Here is week 28 from my project life album. 

I can't believe it's nearly the end of August. Looking back at these photos, was at the beginning of summer! 

Summer's been good to us. It's been pretty decent weather. We got out on 3 separate camping trips. We managed to get all our plumbing done. So it's been good. But as usual, the time seems to have slipped by in a heartbeat. 

Anxiously awaiting the start of Grade 11 and Grade 8. Eeks! 

For now, here's the summer photos!

• Barry's view at Kananaskis golf course. It has just re-opened after the floods of 2013. He was thrilled to be playing there. The weather wasn't great... Lots of rain. But the scenery is spectacular. 
• Madelyn has a few sewing projects on the horizon this summer
• Mason putting Lego together in his room.
• Love our little porch area.
• Bike ride up Nose Hill with Mason.
• Reading in her swing. One of her favourite new places. 

The following Sahlin Studio product was used: 

Calendar Card Stamps - http://the-lilypad.com/store/2018-Calendar-Cards-Stamps.html

Everyday Routine Kit - https://the-lilypad.com/store/the-everyday-routine-kit.html

Everyday Routine Journal Cards - https://the-lilypad.com/store/the-everyday-routine-journal-cards.html

Nature Walk

Every once in awhile, Sahlin Studio comes out with a new collection that knocks my socks off. 

This is one of those collections. 

It's called  Project Mouse (Wilderness). As with the other Project Mouse collections, it's geared towards Disney. However, I don't have any recent Disney photos. What I do have however, are nature photos. It's totally easy to use this collection in many different ways. 

We've been camping quite a bit over the past few years, and I'm already dreaming up ways I can use this collection for our camping photos. 

Here is my pocket page, using pictures from a few years ago. We'd set off on a walk, and when we turned around to head back to the car, realized there was a storm rapidly approaching. 

Love capturing memories like this! 

The following Sahlin Studio products were used: 

Project Mouse - Wilderness - Elements: https://the-lilypad.com/store/Project-Mouse-Wilderness-Elements.html

Project Mouse - Wilderness - Journal Cards: https://the-lilypad.com/store/Project-Mouse-Wilderness-Journal-Cards.html

Project Mouse - Wilderness - Word Art: https://the-lilypad.com/store/Project-Mouse-Wilderness-Word-Art.html

Paislee Press - Guest Member Layouts

As a guest team member, I got to work on creating a project with a new release, and I got to pick product that I wanted to showcase. 

This was not an easy decision. Paislee Press has so many awesome collections, that it would almost have been easier to chose by closing my eyes and pointing at the screen.

Having said that, I have been drawn to this Autumn Vibes collection, since it was released last year. 

I think part of the reason for that, our hot summer. 

Our summers are lovely. But they're not typically HOT. I mean we get a sprinkle of hot days throughout the summer, but not day after day after day. 

However, the past two summers, have been hot. Consistently. 

By the time August rolls around, I've had a number of nights with little sleep, due to how hot our room stays. I hate to say it, but I begin to look forward to slightly cooler temperatures. 

I think that's what drew me to this collection. 

Here are the layouts I created using Autumn Vibes: 

The following Paislee Press product was used: 

Autumn Vibes - Elements https://the-lilypad.com/store/Autumn-Vibes-Elements-by-paislee-press.html

Autumn Vibes - Journal Cards https://the-lilypad.com/store/Autumn-Vibes-Journal-Cards-by-paislee-press.html

Autumn Vibes - Templates https://the-lilypad.com/store/Autumn-Vibes-Templates-by-paislee-press.html