Cute Idea for Easter Favours

This is an adorable idea for Easter Party Favours.  It was a make and take from the Two Friends Scrapbooking store in Waterloo.  They offered the class during March break and my girls loved making these cute treats.  Just a great idea for your Easter table decor!

If you don’t want to hear the answer – DON’T ASK THE QUESTION!

A sage piece of advice from my mother “If you don’t want to hear the answer – don’t ask the question.” Especially good advice if you know the answer already or have a good sense of where the conversation might lead.

Further to my earlier post and in keeping with the “mother nature” theme, my seven year old was traumatized recently.  Megan was home from school before March break.  She was too sick for school, but not sick enough for her mind not to be working overtime!  Here’s how the conversation transpired:

Meg:  Mom you remember being pregnant with me … right
Me:  Yes Megan I remember it well
Meg:  Can you get pregnant other than having sex?
Me (now sweating profusely):  Sex is the traditional way to get pregnant, but, well, yes there is another way.  There are occasions where a Dr. takes a women’s egg and a dad’s sperm and with the help of modern medicine combines these elements in the lab, then plants the fertilized egg back in to the mom.  (I am secretly hoping this is the end of the conversation … but I’m not that lucky!)
Meg: How did you get pregnant with me?
Please let the earth swallow me up now … no luck.
Me:  Well your father and I had sex.  We had sex twice, you have a sister remember.
Meg:  Eeeeekkkkk, eeeeeewwww, yuck - I’m never having sex.
Me:  Good idea Meg, however, I won’t hold you to it.  You may change your mind in a few years.  Take your time!  Plenty of time!

Moral:   If you don’t want to hear the answer – DON’T ASK THE QUESTION!

Birds, Bees and Shrine to Kotex

Well world, it’s happened.  My babies are becoming women whether I like it or not.  Alycia is 16, Meredith is 11 and Megan is 7 going on 17!  Where did the time go?

I know it’s a rite of passage when Mother Nature visits our daughters.  The school teaches our kids about changes in their bodies and how babies are made … and God bless them for bringing up the topic for discussion – but do we have to talk about it non-stop!?!  It has become the all-consuming topic of discussion for the last month!

First we needed to be ready (hence the shrine to Kotex – a free form sculpture of sanitary napkins in various sizes, shapes and flow control levels, carefully presented on her dresser in anticipation of the “big event”.)  Then there is the secret, incognito package carefully camouflaged for our backpack in further anticipation of the “big event.”  Finally there is the assortment of sample packages send home from school from the feminine hygiene industry in hopes of attracting a new and eager market for their products.

This pales in comparison to the in-depth conversation of the classic W-5 interrogation to ascertain the particulars leading up to and including the actual event.  Roll in the classic questions from an eavesdropping 7 year old and I am tired of talking about it.  I know I told kids they could talk to me about anything (after all, we want the open lines of communication and them having good information to base decisions on) but I was kidding.  Kidding myself as it turns out as I’m not ready.  Well, I put on my brave face and have what I can only describe as an out-of-body experience as I try answering their questions.  At this point in my life, I just wanted to get through menopause and put the whole “period thing” behind me.  Funny how life turns out … just when you think you’re on track, you aren’t.  I just hope the free form “shrine to Kotex” doesn’t become some type of art-form and by extension an art project.  

Craft Classes by “Crafty Mom”

Attention Beverly Central School Families


Fund raiser for the Grade 5 Trip


Please Note that these are Adult Classes except 
Special Kids’ Class for March Break

Feline Photo Box Album  

You may remember me from the “Turkey Skate” or my Grade 5 Card classes, I am Terri Mand (aka “Crafty Mom” at Beverly Central) and I am offering several Craft Classes in my home as a fund raiser for the grade 5 year end class trip.  All classes include all materials to complete the project, however you are asked to bring your own scissors, adhesives and pop dots.  Classes start Wednesday Evenings in March from 7 pm to approximately 9 pm at my home in Rockton.  (Directions will accompany registration.)  Each session will have a door prize for a free kit.  Class sizes are limited and are available on a first come first serve basis.  I can be reached at 519-647-0262 or email terri.mand@gmail.com to confirm attendance.  

Altered Item Classes
Keepsake box with Baby CD Album  

(2 Baby Girl kits, 4 Baby Boy kits)                                                                                          

• 6 spots available
• Class:   Wednesday March 7th
• Cost:  $15



Girl CD Album



Boy Kit

                                                          

"Notes" Clipboard

Altered Clipboard Class

Never lose those loose slips of paper again!                                                                                                             

• 6 spots available
• Class:  Wednesday March 14th     
• Cost $10                                                                                            

                                                                                                                                      

Mini Album   

“Just me and my Dad” perfect gift for Father’s Day                                                         

• 6 spots available
• Class: Wednesday March 21^st 
• Cost:  $12                                                                                                    

Baby Cards

Card Classes                                                           

Make 3 baby cards in one night        

• 4 spots available  
• Class:  Wednesday April 4th                                                                                        
• Cost:  $10 for all three cards

Scrapbooking 

Get you photos out make a couple of album pages in one night!   

• 5 spots available
• “Bloom Where you are Planted” 2 page layout (2 - 12” x 12”) and “Inspire” 12” x 12” one page layout 
• Class:  Wednesday March 28th                                                                                  
• Cost:  $15 for both layouts

12" x 12" Single Page Layout - Inspire

"Bloom Where You are Planted" Double page layout

Feline Photo Box Album Kit

Special Kids’ Class for March Break

Feline Photo Box Album  

2 Hour break for Mom and Dad!                                                                                                             

• 5 spots available
• Class:  Wednesday March 14th from 1 pm to approx. 3 pm                              
• Cost:   $10

Calling all Copic Marker Fans

If you are new to copic markers, here is a great chart for you!  Justrite has compile a chart that combines trios, quads and individual marker combinations.  It is a great guide to use when selecting colour shades and highlights in the same family.

My cousin passed this info along to me, and she got it from one of her card making gurus!  It could save you some money when selecting your copics.   I know the mistake I made was to choose "the pretty ones" that I liked instead of buying "families" of colours.  

Here's the link and thank you Carol and Bonita!

 http://www.justritestampers.com/pdfs/JRCopicMarkersWEB.pdf

More Copic Cards

I just love copic markers!  Here are three cards I made at a class hosted by Memory Keepers on Hamilton Mountain.  Dawn designed and coached as we made these three cards!  I love them and they are too pretty to give away.  Now I feel the need to invest in more copic markers ... I wonder which came first, the markers or the cards .... mmmmm.

18 Scrapbooks for Beverly Central's Grade One Class

Math was never my strong suit.  When Megan's grade one teacher asked me to design a scrapbook for each of her grade one's to put their memories in, I though sure.  How hard can that be? She was very flexible on the design and content and would leave that part up to me.

The sample scrapbook went together very quickly and Mrs. B loved the concept.  We set a deadline and off I went.  What I forgot, is that one book assembly is pretty quick, but 18 books is a marathon session.  40 hours, 6 bottles of glue (the good stuff @ $7.00/bottle), stacks of paper and one cricuit sheet later, the books were done.  Fortunately I had left the "fun" decorating/embellishing part until the end or I might still be working on them!

They were definitely a labour of love, but Megan got first choice and everyone thinks her mom is the best!  Crafty Mom, as I am affectionately known at the school, is really happy with the result and I know the kids will love working on them and that makes the effort all worthwhile!

How Many Fellas Does It Take to Change a Water Filter?

The answer is three.

My father passed away seven years ago and my youngest brother lives with my mother. Yes, he's in his 40's, a confirmed bachelor, godfather to my daughters and one of the most OCD people you'll ever meet.  But, to his defense, he does look after my mother and helps her live independently by taking care of the heavy house work, yard work and is her personal chauffeur.  I love him to bits, but the one thing Phil is not good at is anything that would fall in to the "handy man dept."  


As a matter of fact, the "handy man" gene is missing from both of my brothers' DNA.  My husband is oozing with that gene.  Alf is a millwright and loves to tinker and fix stuff.  My brothers, on the other hand, try to assemble things and have parts left over (they inherited that from my father.)


One afternoon, Todd (brother one) and Phil (mom's homeboy) decided to change the water filter.  They had changed the filter before, but somehow during the installation they managed to block the water flow completely.  Phil, had my mother call the plumber/water treatment folks (sensing a $150 service call, so much for saving a few dollars by doing it yourself!)  Todd just left and went home, perplexed and leaving Phil to deal with the situation.


When Phil came over to our house (we live just across the road) to get water to flush the toilets.  Given our gene pool and based on past experience,  I dispatched my husband, aka MacGyver, to rescue the water-less pair.


Turns out, the boys put the filter in backwards.  Service call averted.  Water restored.  Result thanks to Alf! Now Mr. MacGyver ... can you assemble a liposuction machine for me with some paperclips, string and duct tape?  My diet isn't working very well!

A Great Gift Idea for the “Crafty Girl” on your list

I received one of the best gifts from my friend Karen.  It was the gift of crafty organization.   If you are anything like me, when I start crafting, my creative genius takes over and my craft zone resembles a colourful paper war zone by the time I am finished.

Karen gave me a gift, which on the surface may resemble a photo organizer, but in reality it is a paper odds, sods and embellishments organizer.  Remember all those paper scraps, the ones too good to throw out, but not big enough to scrapbook with, but might be good for cards, tags, accessories (you get the picture), well here’s what you do with them. Take the individual cases that would nornally house the 4”x6” photos and organize those bits and pieces by colour, season or pattern in to those cases.  Everything now is beautifully organized for your next crafting project all at your fingertips.

Here’s a video clip explaining the process.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvGB-f7iavM&feature=related

 

YouTube - Videos from this email

Awesome gift Karen!  It takes a crafty girl to know one.  Now if I can just remember to keep it organized. Mmmm.

Bad Hair Day, oh my!

My Keegan (16 year old flame point Himalayan cat) is getting older and he doesn’t groom himself like he should.  The result is that his fur gets matted and then needs professional attention.  I know that winter is not the best time to groom him, but given his matted condition, off to the vet for his check-up and trim.

The result was a bit severe.  As you can see, he looks like that poor cat on the “Hang in there baby” poster.   He garnered such sympathy and attention that my sister-in-law swaddled him in a baby blanket!   Now he thinks he needs to sleep in my bed, under, yes under the covers.

To add insult to injury, our other cat Tom (the 20 pound, domestic shorthair that adopted us and has finally won “Largest Cat” title from the Rockton World’s fair and has the trophy to prove it) didn’t recognize poor Keegan when he came back from the vet.  He hissed and spat at the poor boy, thinking that I traded poor Keegan for a wimped-out version of what a cat should look like!

Sorry Keegan for the bad hair day, maybe even a bad hair month, but I am sure you feel better without the matts in your fur.  We’ll try to wait for warmer weather next time!  Besides, it could be worse, you could be wet!

Winter Getaway at Niagara Falls

All three of my girls have January birthdays and the deal at my house is that you have the option of having a birthday party with your friends or we can go as a family to one of the Niagara Waterparks for an overnight stay and swimming get-away.  The waterbugs always vote for the waterpark!

This year we decided to try the Niagara Falls Waterpark and stay at the Crowne Plaza.  The waterpark is located at the Crowne Plaza, but you do have to go through the lobby and take a separate elevator to the park itself.

From my Corporate Marketing Professional standpoint, the Crowne Plaza is a beautiful historic hotel located at the base of the falls with easy access to the Casino, the Hard Rock Café and five star restaurant at the Crowne Plaza.  From my "Mom and Family Event Planner" perspective, it is the least family friendly hotel that we have been to in a long time.

The rooms are very small and we were tripping over one another.  There was no mini fridge in the room which I find very useful when travelling with kids.  (Yes, I pack milk, juice cereal for breakfast and a plethora of snacks for grazing – so the milk stayed in the ice bucket to stay cold).  The beds were hard and everyone had trouble sleeping.  No sleep + all day swimming @ waterpark = grumpy kids There were house rules too.  Street clothes were to be worn when passing through the lobby on the way to the waterpark.  What the heck?  How kid friendly is a hotel that promotes a waterpark then makes you dress for the occasion, then undress to use the waterpark , and dress to come back to your room.

The waterpark is fun and comparable to Great Wolf Lodge and the Americana Hotels nearby.  The proximity to the falls is great and it is walking distance to all the attractions on Clifton Hill (although as a parent I would avoid those places like the plague!)  If you go in the winter, the lights are still on and the falls is amazing at night time!   But the hotel’s $40 restaurant coupon and the “kids eat free breakfast” coupons are not for the family budget consumer.  Oh did I mention the $20 parking fee and the locker fees to keep your “stuff” safe at the pool are all part of the package too.  Lesson learned.

Gotta be honest here, I know that Great Wolf Lodge sounds like more money on paper, but the value is there if you are travelling as a family.  Bigger rooms, fridges and microwaves in the rooms, affordable food on-site (including pizza delivery to your room), free waterpark lockers, free parking, free story time and craft sessions for the kids.  Lots to do without ever leaving the facility.  Americana is OK if you have little children, but your older kids (tweens) will quickly get bored and want to do more than that facility has to offer.

My analysis, from the Mom/Family Event Planner perspective, two thumbs up for Great Wolf Lodge (go midweek if you can for the best room rate and more room in the waterpark), Americana if you have little kids, and the Crowne Plaza should stick to their corporate clients with expense accounts or adults looking for a Casino get away.  (Yes, I did sneak out when the kids were asleep and invest $40 in the Niagara economy!)

Food for thought

One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries.  – A.A. Milne


Accept everything about yourself.  I mean everything, you re you and that is the beginning and the end – no apologies, no regrets.  – Clark Moustakas


Some days there won’t be a song in your heart.  Sing anyway. – Emory Austin


If you don’t like something change it; if you can’t change it, change the way you think about it. – Mary Engelbreit


As a housewife, I feel that if the kids are still alive when my husband gets home from work, then hey, I’ve done my job. – Roseanne Barr

Working Moms Unite!

We are not alone.  I came across this book, "I was a really GOOD MOM before I had kids - reinventing modern motherhood" and I had to pick it up.

Not only is this book written by two working Moms, but they are from the marketing field (Trisha Ashworth is from the Advertising realm and Amy Nobile is a PR Exec.) so I can relate to them on more than one level.

We all have been there ... super mom, super wife, super career executive ... super tired!  Second guessed ourselves 100 times a day and hate to admit, even to our inner most selves that there must be more to life than diaper rash and Preparation H!

If you are like me stuck in that sandwich generation, somewhere between June Cleaver, Gloria Steinem and Madonna, this book is for you.  It's nice to know that we are not alone. These ladies have other books too and a blog if you like what they have to say.  Maybe you'll share some of the dirty little secrets posted there too.

Here's the link ...
http://www.reallygoodmom.com/books/

The Late Church Ladies

I thought I would start the New Year off right by going to church.   I called my mom and asked her if she wanted to join me.  She agreed and we decided I would pick her up at 10:45 am since church started at 11.
Both of us were ready early and were putting in time waiting to go to church.   Away we went at 10:45 as agreed.   When we got to the parking lot, we both thought there were a lot of cars there.  That should have been our first clue.  I dropped Mom off at the front door since she has trouble walking, so the shorter the distance, the better for her.  Besides, it was raining and watching her juggle a cane, purse and umbrella is too much for me.  Away she goes and I leave to park the car.

I had to circle the church parking lot twice to find a spot.   Again, this seems a bit strange, but it’s true.  When I get to the door, I see mom standing in the entry hall.  Apparently we are 30 minutes late for church and the service is well underway.  Not wanting to disturb the service, we decide it best to wait for a hymn before entering and finding a seat.

My mother would pass out if she had to sit at the front pew.  I’m not sure how she thought we would be able to sneak in without everyone knowing we were late, but that was her plan.  My mom is less than 5 ft. so the cloak rack at the back of the church concealed her appearance, however I am taller and both the minister and choir and the congregation in the back 5 rows all knew we were there.

Our big moment arrived when the collection was being taken up.  We slid in to the back row just in time for collection!

Collection and 2 hymns later, church was over.  It was the fastest service I’ve ever been to in my life and as luck would have it, lunch was being served after church.   Mom and I spent more time visiting at lunch than we did in church. Bonus, however next time we’ll get the time straight.

Dance

“You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching, 
Love like you'll never be hurt, 
Sing like there's nobody listening, 
And live like it's heaven on earth.” 
― William W. Purkey

Caledonia Old Mill Light Display

Christmas is not in tinsel and lights and outward show.

The secret lies in an inner glow.

It's lighting a fire inside the heart.

Good will and joy a vital part.

It's higher thought and a greater plan.

It's glorious dream in the soul of man.

--Wilfred A. Peterson (The Art of Living)

New Year’s Eve Traditions

Ever since our babies came along, we’ve celebrated what started out as referred to as a “toddlers New Year’s Eve” and the name stuck even though the girls outgrew the toddler stage.   It began as a pj party for the little girls (homemade flannelette nightgowns that Grandma Woods had made) and an early dinner of Chinese food from our favourite restaurant.  This worked out well since my brother and I have children the same age and we didn’t need babysitters.  My Dad was also in the late stages of cancer so it was a great way to be together as a family without it being a strain for anyone.  We rang in the New Year at 8 pm instead of midnight.

My father has since passed away, but much of the tradition lives on.  The evening now includes a trip to the cemetery after dinner to put candles on his grave, my grandparent’s grave and our dearest Trevor’s grave who was taken from us when he was only six.  It’s a time of reflection as we pass from one year to the next and to remember the ones we miss so fondly.

In a twist to this year agenda, we added an old fashion crokinole tournament.  We played crokinole by the hour with Dad growing up and now it was time to introduce it to the next generation.   Imagine a family game that requires no batteries, electronics, flash or any modern bells or whistles.  The only requirements are a good aim, steady nerves and a keen trigger finger!  We drew for teams and game position in this round robin tournament.
We had so much fun as we tried to outwit, outlast, and outplay the our opponents.  As in life, there is always a winner and everyone else comes second.  This year’s winners were my brother Todd and his daughter Danielle.  They received a valuable dollar store trophy and clearance Christmas chocolates lovingly purchased from the neighbour Sobeys.

All I can say it that Megan (the youngest and the fiercest competitor) will be more careful in her team mate selection next year and she will be “gunning” to knock Uncle Trigger Todd and Danielle off their crokinole pedestal.

Looking ahead at 2012

Working the board at DAVE FM

TV here I come!

Bucket List

1. Learn to knit

2. Learn to crochet

3. Learn how to Belly Dance – just for shits and giggles

4. Learn yoga

5. Become a judge at local Agricultural Fairs

6. Bungee Jump off something

7. Visit the Grand Canyon

8. Learn conversational French and go to France.  See the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Oh la la!

9. Be a radio DJ

10. Be a television personality

11. Visit Fiji just because it sounds exotic and would be a nice place to stop over on my trip to New Zealand

12. Visit the land down under, New Zealand

13. Visit the set of Coronation Street in England and explore England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.  Not necessarily in that order and not necessarily all at once

14. Start a Blog or two or three

Kicking it at KIX 106

The Mom Show

2012 New Year’s Resolutions

1. Throw the best “Sweet 16 birthday party” for my Alycia because I want to and she deserves it

2. Exercise and eat better.  Take the time to look after myself so I can be the best “me” I can be!

3. Purge the” toxins” from my life that means anything that drains my energy, isn’t  part of my core values, adds no value to my life or my family’s life, I’m cutting loose.  Concentrate on the value added stuff like activities that bring me joy, enhance my health or feed my soul.

4. Volunteer more, especially at my kids’ school.  I want to take “Crafty Mom” to a whole new level

5. Find a job that fits me, not me fitting it

6. Work the social media angle to death!  Understand it and live it.

7. Throw the best birthday party for me and my friends ever!  Theme is Cupcake wars ladies - have spatula, will travel.  You know that I mean!
8. Connect with friends more.  I want to make a concerted effort to catch up and engage them on a regular basis

9. Create and live in a complaint free world http://www.acomplaintfreeworld.org/

10. Laugh a lot!  I’m sure, but have no scientific proof that laughing  lengthens your life!  Some call it internal jogging!  I could run that marathon.