Me at 47

On Wednesday, I celebrated 47 years on this wonderful planet - seems so surreal to me!  I got spoiled with flowers, dinner at Mamo Burger and… an iPad Air!

A photo posted by Sue Sykes (@suesykes) on Jul 7, 2014 at 2:21pm PDT

Do you remember when I interviewed Connor and Aili on their birthdays last year?  I thought it'd be fun to continue the tradition and interview myself... with a few alterations! :)

1. What is your favourite colour? Orange
2. What is your favourite song?  Currently, it's Stay With Me by Sam Smith
3. How do you get to school work?  Lola, the Mustang convertible - she's a beautiful thing in the summer!  Not so much in the winter...
4. What chore did you do last?  Folded laundry
5. What do you want to be when you grow up?  Writer
6. What is your favourite TV show?  Orange Is The New Black and 24
7. Who is your best friend?  I have many, but I'd have to say Amanda is my closest bestie (but probably furthest, geographically!)
8. What is your favourite cereal?  Crispix
9. What makes you mad?  Injustice
10. What's under your bed?  New bedroom set - so it's just been vacuumed!
11. If you could have any pet, what would it be?  A horse
12. What do you like best about yourself?  My sense of humour
13. What's your favourite joke?  Q: What's a nosey pepper do?  A: Gets jalapeño business!
14. What is your favourite holiday?  Christmas
15. What vegetable do you like best?  Red peppers
16. How tall are you?  5'2"
17. What size shoe do you wear?  Usually 8
18. What's your favourite subject in school part of your job?  Payroll
19. What's your favourite sport?  Football.  As a spectator, of course!
20. If you could have one superpower, what would it be?  Teleportation - no commuting time!

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the challenges on my blog for a chance to win:
July 2014 Sketchy Challenge (deadline July 31st, 2014)
Leave Your Legacy challenge - Don't Stop Believing (deadline Nov 30th, 2014)

Inspired by an interview that Nicole conducts with each of her children every year on their birthday, I used a combination of Nicole's questions, questions from a special issue from Simple Scrapbooks, Scrapbook Shortcuts with Quizzes and Questions, along with my own and came up with my own list. 

MIA

I'm still here!

[art by guy denning]

There is so much going on around that I am seriously beginning to question whether I am going to be able to keep my head above water over the next month or so!

As I mentioned before, I'm not going to gripe about how busy we are - isn't everyone?  But since the original purpose of this blog was to document our lives (and not just share my designs, although there has been less of the former and more of the latter), I'm going to attempt to document the comings and goings of our lives over the last few weeks:

• On Sept 18th, my dad was sent to the hospital after a visit with his GP and later admitted.  He suffers from COPD and pulmonary fibrosis, and had severe swelling in his legs and abdomen.  They started him on water-reducing pills and ran a battery of tests which concluded that he was suffering from congestive heart failure, as a result of his pulmonary infections.  Over the next few days, his CO2 levels rose dangerously high and he was sent to ICU.  It was touch and go but the next day he rallied and was moved to another room.  Over the last week or so, he has ridden a roller coaster of emotions (as have we!) and varying levels of health so much of our time is spent driving out there to visit and encourage him to eat and gain his strength so he can come home.  As of today, there are no definitely plans as to when he will come home - and then we all need to decide what to do if he is unable to continue to live at home by himself.  He is 85.

• As a result of my dad's stay in ICU, I decided to forgo my crop weekend with my girls at the Encore Dance Fundraising crop in Elmira on Sept 21st.  Extremely disappointing for so many reason, but I'm glad I decided not to go as it was Saturday that my dad's condition worsens and the family was called into his side.  Plus I would have just worried about him all weekend.  On the plus side, I didn't have to pack for the crop - a task that I dread each time!

• Inventory is complete at two of my stores, however there are unexplained discrepancies that causing me some stress and adding to my limited time.  Thanks to Amy for offering to come in and help me get caught up!

• My surgery on Sept 23rd with Dr. Deans went extremely well.  There was no pain (aside from the long needle that was used in the corner of my eyes to freeze/numb the areas - GAH!!!).  There was considerable swelling and bruising and I was unable to wear my contacts, drive, lift, strain or bend for at least 4 days!  You don't realize how often you do these things until you can't!  I'm back for a follow-up appointment next week to determine if another surgery will be required.  Can't say that I'm really disappointed about that - he's such a cutie! :)
  This is my eye, Day 2 after the surgery - and the swelling had gone down considerably, thanks to all-day icing, 30 minutes on, 30 minutes off:
  
  
  

• Connor suffered from what we think may be "turf toe" following his game last week (which incidentally was played on a new artificial turf).  We spent a few hours in emerg last Wednesday and he spent a few days on crutches, and icing it.  He ditched his crutches at a friend's bbq this weekend and seems to be walking okay on it, so hopefully it was a mild strain

• Today, I went for oral surgery for a crown lengthening - I am really starting to feel my age, with all these surgeries!  Some discomfort, but ibuprofen helps and it should heal quickly.  It wasn't great timing on my part, but what's done is done - and Dr. Mason is a fantastic (and fun!) periodontist.  We spent much of the time discussing the fall TV programming.  Or at least she discussed - I drooled and nodded a lot. :) 

Oh, and did I mention I'm hosting Thanksgiving for our entire family? And that I have another inventory (my final!) 3 days later?  Not to mention ScrapFest and CropFest and the wedding and football games and cadets and gymnastics and sleepovers and Halloween and...

Well, at least it will keep me out of trouble! :)

Tomorrow, I'll share pics from Connor's football game - he's so handsome in his uniform!

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the challenges on my blog for a chance to win:
October Sketchy Challenge (deadline:  Oct 31, 2013)

Leave Your Legacy: Top Ten Lists (deadline:  Nov 30, 2013)

It's Time...

[source]

Making plans....

Me at 46

Today, I start the downhill roll towards the big 5-0!! LOL!

I've always been a firm believer that age is just a number - and that you're only as old as you act!  (see above) :)  But over the last few months, I've had so many aches and pains pop up that I'm starting to feel every one of my years!

A lot of it is due to weight gain, which in turn is due to the busy lifestyle we lead.  And while I've said it before, I think I have come to realize that it's become a main priority for all of us to simplify and slow down and prioritize a healthier lifestyle.  I'm slowly working on a plan to do this and hope to have it in place by the fall.

Do you remember when I interviewed Connor and Aili on their birthdays?  I thought it'd be fun to continue the tradition and interview myself... with a few alterations! :)

1. What is your favourite colour? Orange
2. What is your favourite song?  Currently, it's Madness by Muse
3. How do you get to school work?  Lately, I've been driving the Caravan instead of the Mustang - I'm not quite sure that happened?  But today, it's Lola and I!
4. What chore did you do last?  Washed the dishes
5. What do you want to be when you grow up?  Independently wealthy, so I can paint and create all day
6. What is your favourite TV show?  It's a toss-up between The Big Bang Theory and Castle
7. Who is your best friend?  I don't think I have ONE best friend - but if I had to name one, it'd have to be Amanda
8. What is your favourite cereal?  Crispix
9. What makes you mad?  Ignorant, small-minded people
10. What's under your bed?  Nothing - we purposely bought this bed frame so I couldn't lose anything under it!
11. If you could have any pet, what would it be?  A horse
12. What do you like best about yourself?  My sense of humour
13. What's your favourite joke?  How many tickles does it take to make an octopus laugh?  Ten tickles!
14. What is your favourite holiday?  Christmas
15. What vegetable do you like best?  Red peppers
16. How tall are you?  5'2"
17. What size shoe do you wear?  Depends on the footwear!
18. What's your favourite subject in school part of your job?  Account reconciliation
19. What's your favourite sport?  To play?  Hahahahahahahahahaha
20. If you could have one superpower, what would it be?  To be able to go back in time.

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the giveaways/challenges on my blog for a chance to win:
1,000th Blog Post giveaway (deadline:  June 30/13 EXTENDED TO JULY 15,2013)
July 2013 Sketchy Challenge (deadline:  Jul 31/13)
Leave Your Legacy: Pet Peeves (deadline:  Aug 31/13)

Inspired by an interview that Nicole conducts with each of her children every year on their birthday, I used a combination of Nicole's questions, questions from a special issue from Simple Scrapbooks, Scrapbook Shortcuts with Quizzes and Questions, along with my own and came up with my own list. 

Right Here Right Now | Jun 15

[source]

The Project:  Every Saturday, at some point, I will post a self-portrait (it won't always be pretty - I'm warning you now!!) and document what I'm doing/feeling/seeing... right now.

dateline: belle river, ontario, canada @ 9:45 pm on june 15, 2013
weather outside: cool, drizzly
mood inside:  happy, sated

listening to:  Pirates of the Carribean - At Land's End
eating:  cotton candy (?!?)
drinking:  diet coke
wearing:  pyjamas
feeling:  happy 
wanting:  for nothing
needing:  to concentrate on the movie or I'll be lost!
thinking:  about when to have our yard sale
enjoying:  this peaceful end to a great family day
learning:  that the fair hasn't changed in 30 years
creating:  a list of things to accomplish this week
wondering:  why I never learn until too late, that cotton candy makes me feel ill?
procrastinating:  laundry - how can four people create so much?
loving:  the look of pure glee on Aili's face today after she conquered her fears over a particularly scary ride
anticipating:  some creative time tomorrow while Connor and Gary head to the movies

(sorry, it's dark in here for the movie - not enough light for a photo!)

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the challenges on my blog for a chance to win:

Sketchy Challenge:  June 2013 (deadline:  June 30/13)
Leave Your Legacy: Pet Peeves (deadline:  Aug 31/13)

Right Here Right Now | Jun 12

Well, I started this project the Saturday before last and this past Saturday was a whirlwind of icing and butter and I completely forgot about this!  But better late than never, I always say....

[source]

The Project:  Every Saturday, at some point, I will post a self-portrait (it won't always be pretty - I'm warning you now!!) and document what I'm doing/feeling/seeing... right now.

dateline: belle river, ontario, canada @ 8:28 pm on june 12, 2013
weather outside: warm, humid
mood inside:  frazzled, tired

listening to:  Bruno Mars - When I Was Your Man
eating:  nothing
drinking:  water
wearing:  black capri yoga pants, burgundy long-sleeved tee
feeling:  overwhelmed
wanting:  a few more hours in every day
needing:  to tuck Aili into bed
thinking:  about what the kids can get Gary for Father's Day
enjoying:  the solitude
learning:  to prioritize
creating:  (or about to create) by layout for my Inspiration Elevator challenge
wondering:  if summer will ever get here?
procrastinating:  garage sale prep - ugh, I hate marking...
loving:  that tonight is the last Wed of cadets - no more working Wednesday nights!!
anticipating:  seeing my dad again this weekend - so hard to find time to get out there to visit!

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the challenges on my blog for a chance to win:

Sketchy Challenge:  June 2013 (deadline:  June 30/13)
Leave Your Legacy: Pet Peeves (deadline:  Aug 31/13)

Right Here, Right Now

Recently, I came across this blog post from two years ago.  And I have to say, in reading the 3 or 4 posts that I kept up, I really felt like it captured a slice of life, at that moment.

So that is why I am trying again...

[source]

Every Saturday, at some point, I will post a self-portrait (it won't always be pretty - I'm warning you now!!) and document what I'm doing/feeling/seeing... right now.

dateline: belle river, ontario, canada @ 11:59 pm on june 1, 2013
weather outside: warm, humid
mood inside:  quiet, peaceful

listening to:  a huge bullfrog make music in the creek out back
eating:  vanilla greek yogurt and blueberries (I know it's late but I fell asleep at 4:30 and just woke up!)
drinking:  water
wearing:  black yoga pants, grey tank
feeling:  proud of Connor for winning the Best First Year Cadet award today!
wanting:  chocolate
needing:  to get moving on baking the cupcakes for the fundraiser next week
thinking:  about combinations for the cupcakes (mocha with coffee icing?  chocolate with mint?)
enjoying:  the warm weather we've had lately
learning:  that things don't always go according to plan
creating:  a meal plan to keep me on track this week
wondering:  what the weather will be like tomorrow
procrastinating:  going to bed - not tired after my 7 hr nap!
loving:  the new song, One in a Million, by Down with Webster
anticipating:  spending time with the family tomorrow

(See?  I told you it wouldn't always be pretty.  Just keepin' it real, people...)

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the challenges on my blog for a chance to win:

Sketchy Challenge:  June 2013 (deadline:  June 30/13)
Leave Your Legacy: Pet Peeves (deadline:  Aug 31/13)

A Weekend of Celebration

Another birthday for Canada and me this weekend.

Although she's 100 years older than I am.  So that makes me feel a little bit better...

Know what else makes me feel pretty good?

THIS:

[source]

It's official - I have left the dark side Blackberry world and have become a Apple-ite.  Not a far stretch, since we already have an iMac, MacBookPro, 2 iPods and an iPad2.  So we're long-time converts from PC.

Needless to say, I love my little toy.  There's a bit of a learning curve, but nothing that some playing around won't fix!  We picked it up on Saturday morning and just like my Blackberry before, it has not left my side for long.

My favourite app so far has to be Instagram.  Love taking quick snaps with a quality camera on my phone.  Although, I fear I may never bring my new D300S anywhere anymore, except for actual photo shoots! :(  The quality, of course, doesn't compare, but you know what they say... the best camera is the one that's with you!  Now I just have to figure out how to view them from the web so I can share them here...

For Canada Day, we headed to my sister's place for a BBQ, some swimming and fireworks, later on.  And of course, dessert!  Raspberry shortcake and birthday cake.  No, I didn't make my own cupcakes...

Not for lack of trying on Gary's part, of course. :)

Happy Canada Day, to my Canadian friends and family - and Happy Fourth of July this week to our American friends and family!

Stick a Fork In Me

I'm DONE!!!

Finally.  Today was my last inventory for my stores for 2011.  Three inventory counts within six weeks of each other.

Okay, so I don't have to count every eyeliner and condom that my store carries.  But honestly, I think I'd rather be on the floor with a Telxon.  While my part is not difficult, it IS time consuming.  Not to mention the amount of trees I have to slaughter with photocopying all the required reports for our head office.

Today's inventory went very well, which, in my opinion, was a nice way to end the whole ordeal!

And just when I think it's over and I'll get a moment's peace, my District Manager and Store Systems Coordinator asked me to take over another store whose Store Administrator just left, and to take a new hire under my wing and train him/her.

Sigh.  At least it will keep me out of trouble... I hope! :s

Hmmm

Anyone remember Sharon, Lois and Bram from the 80's?

Lately, I've been walking around humming this song:




With good reason!!   Something tells me it's not going to slow down much until after Christmas... :s

Hope your Wednesday's happy!

Giving Thanks

via ThxThxThx

I came across this blog in my random surfing one day and loved the tongue-in-cheek approach Leah uses to document her random day occurences.

And for the record, I think that Jimmy Fallon TOTALLY copied her idea!!

At any rate, over the last few weeks, my nails seems to be cooperating (touch wood!) and are all relatively the same length, give or take.  This NEVER happens - they usually all get really long and then BAM!  Two will break, right to the quick!

But as Leah writes above, it's been years since I've worn polish on my nails (always have my toes done though!) and I feel so much more feminine with it on - even if it is a nice vampy colour! :)

'Til we meet again, polish...

Elephant Man

or Woman, to be more precise:

Let's just put bad lighting and the lack of make-up aside.

Last night, I was watching TV and it felt like my face was swelling slightly.  I asked Gary and he said that he noticed it was a bit puffy at dinner.  I was still having shooting pains and lots of throbbing so I look a Tylenol #3 and went to bed around midnight.

Fast forward to a mere 3 hours later... I was awakened by throbbing pain and a stretching sensation on my cheekbone.  I stumbled through the dark to the medicine cabinet and took a 400mg ibuprofen and went back to bed, not bothering to check in the mirror.

I slept off and on until 7am, when I heard the kids getting ready for school.  By this time, I knew that my face was swollen, since I could barely open my left eye.  I stayed in bed until the kids were gone, not wanting to alarm them.  Then I shuffled out to the kitchen in my slippers.

"Feeling better?" Gary asked, typing away on the laptop.

"Uh... not really." I replied.

He looked up then and did a double take.  I felt like the Elephant Man, with the entire left side of my face swollen from eye brow to neck.  I was so swollen that my eyelids (upper and lower) had disappeared!

I waited until 8:45am when I knew the dentist office was open and popped in.  One look from the receptionist and she said, "Oh, that looks painful.  Let me check your file."

Turned out that Dr. M had written a prescription, on the off chance that I would need it before she was back in the office, and had left it in my file.  The other dentist in residence took one look at me and suggested that I start the meds by doubling the first dose.

Here's another photo - it's out of focus and dark, but it was taken from head on, so you can see the difference better:

The photos above was taken about six hours after the first doubled dose - and some of the swelling has already disappeared!  Let's hope it works its' magic through the night tonight - Katrina and her family are coming to spend the weekend with us!

Cocaine, anyone?

I'm wishing I had some of these right now...

Last month, I cracked a previously filled (poorly done by my previous dentist) tooth and had to go in for an emergency repairs.  Of course, this happened a week after Gary's benefits from his previous job expired... {sigh}

At any rate, Dr. M was gracious enough to squeeze me in before her Superbowl trip (lucky duck!).  While she was repairing the tooth, she hinted that there was a good chance that I'd need a root canal.

Fast forward a few days, and sure enough, the tooth begins to throb and pulsate like it has a life of its' own - all the while shooting piercing streaks of pain from the tooth to my temple.  Of course, this happened just as soon as Dr. M left for her trip.  Knowing Murphy's Law, it was probably the moment she stepped foot on the plane...

I dealt with the pain for a week by ingesting Advil by the truckload, thinking that it was just the aftereffects of the previous work.  Then I finally broke down and made an appointment.  I love my dentist office - they're all so wonderful!  The receptionist, L, squeezed me in for today. 

Now, going to the dentist has never bothered me.  In fact, I've had several root canals and they weren't overly painful - not as much as the pain leading up to it, for sure!  I'm not a big baby when it comes to needles and the anesthetic (sp?) usually wears off fairly quickly for me.  So I wasn't worried about it.

Sure enough, as soon as Dr. M tapped on the offensive tooth with the end of one of the dental tools - and I nearly leapt out of my chair! - she announced that yes, indeed, I would need a root canal.  Of course, it was late in the day and she only had time to start it.

So here I sit, with a temporary filling in place, and my tooth aching from all of the digging and stripping of nerves...  Is it sad that I can't WAIT to get to the dentist on Friday to finish this off?

Off to raid the medicine cabinet for the Tylenol 3's...

Keeping the Momentum Going

photo via d.jacobs music centre

Okay, so I have now blogged every day, since January 1st!  And we all know that it takes 21 days to create a habit so I have to keep the momentum going, even if I have nothing to blog about, right?

Right?

So...now what?

Well, I could tell you that I was ALMOST done organizing my studio and then I started creating so it's a mess again! :)  I will try to have it done for this weekend to snap photos before I make another mess.

I could also tell you that I have my first photoshoot of 2011 booked for next Saturday!  It's a maternity session so I'm quite excited!  They are expecting twins so hopefully I will be asked to take newborn photos as well... oh my heck, I can almost picture them!

Maybe I could tell you that Gary's officially done at his former job - after 35 weeks, they finally contacted him to say that his temporary layoff would be permanent.  So there's a lot of praying and positive thinking going on around here.  As well as some strategic planning.  Comparable jobs at his skill level are few and far between in this area - and I really don't want to leave our family, our friends, and definitely my new scrapbook studio!  But of course, we will do what we need to do.

Or maybe you'd rather hear that Aili has started her second session of swimming lessons.  She really wants to be on Connor's competitive swim team, but it's quite expensive so she will learn the strokes through community-centre lessons and then in a year or so, we will enroll her in WEST as well.  Right now, they are learning to basics of the freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke.

I've already told you about Connor and his mile-swim.  But maybe I could tell you that he has three big swim meets coming up in three consecutive weekends: a Seal meet in Wallaceburg, the Dolphins meet in Etobicoke and if he qualifies, the Western Ontario Swim Association (WOSA) championships in Brantford.  This final meet is the same as the one held in London last year so we are keeping our fingers crossed that he has qualifying times again.

Yeah, I could probably talk about those things.

Or I could just tell you that tomorrow, I'll be sharing a project done for the CP4U challenge #48 that will be posted on their blog. 

And I should probably share that my term with CP4U is up at the end of January and they have a Design Team call posted on their blog here, if anyone is interested.

Most importantly, I should definitely share that I'm going to be reinstating a bi-weekly challenge that I started with Just Cre8, called Leave Your Legacy.  The idea for a Leave Your Legacy challenge was born when I realized that after my mom's passing, I knew very little about WHO she was, as a person.  Sure, I knew the basics, but not about her personality, her likes or dislikes, or hopes and dreams. 

And so, with a new year, it's a great time to start a new tradition.  Every other Friday, I will post a prompt, with my example to encourage you to create more layouts about a very important person - YOU!  More details to follow with our first prompt this Friday!

So... what should I talk about? ;)

A Letter to Me at 18

Supplies:  KI Memories die cut cardstock, Doodlebug Design letter stickers and Sugar Coated cardstock, American Crafts Thickers, Just Cre8 stamps (Gina's Garden, Aili's Garden), Tsukineko inks and embossing powder

Dear 18-year-old Self,

You are so bright and full of promise.  You have grand plans to have a dazzling career as a corporate businesswoman once you are finished university.  Trust me when I say that eventually, your priorities will change and you will decide to shift gears, settle down and have children.  Two beautiful, smart children.  A son with such imagination and artistic talent and a daughter who inherits your fire and independence.  Granted, they will try your patience each and every day, but know that they will also bring you joy just as often.

I know that you have little patience for your parents and their rules right now.  You think that they are stifling your sense of adventure and want to keep you sheltered. But believe me when I say that they are only looking out for you.  They only want what's best for you and will always support you.  Through seven (yes, SEVEN!) years of post-secondary education.  During a three year on-again, off-again relationship that was doomed from the start and wreaked havoc on your emotions and self-esteem.  After a rash decision that almost cost you your best friend and partner for life.  Hug them every chance you get, and remember to thank them.

Cherish the close relationship that you will have with your mother as you get older and try to be more patient.  She offers you her opinions because she wants to help you make smart choices.  Unlike the Grade 10 piercing incident. :)  You will miss her dearly (and her advice) when she is gone.  And remember to cultivate your relationship with your father so that you will be closer to him after she passes.

Don't let anyone belittle or abuse you, physically or emotionally.  You are stronger than that - and you are an incredible person who deserves better.  Continue to be an individual, both in your style and your opinions, and stay true to who you are and shine your light for all to see.

Love,
You, at age 43

This was for my challenge up at WeScrap today - you can check it out here. 

Me, Today

image via cinnamon*sticks on etsy

Came across this little quiz a while ago on my friend Jennifer's blog and thought it would be a great way to capture my life, at this moment:

Listening to:  My blog playlist; specifically, Glitter in the Air by Pink
Reading:  Christmas magazines!
Watching:  Our kids play out in the snow
Eating:  my mother-in-law's yummy shortbread
Drinking:  Diet coke
Wearing:  Black yoga pants, black t-shirt, hot pink hoodie
Feeling:  Proud after Day 1 of Connor's Dash for Cash 3-day swim meet this weekend!
Weather:  Brrrrr - cold!!
Wanting:  to finish my Christmas shopping so I can concentrate on savouring the season
Needing:  Just a few more gifts to get there! 
Enjoying:  The here and now
Wondering:  If we'll make it home before the big snowstorm hits on Sunday... *fingers crossed*

I won't tag anyone but feel free to post on your blog and post a comment with a link to share!

SK Trip - Part II

Blog alert:  Long post ahead - and it's heavy on both photos AND sarcasm.  Consider yourself forewarned.

Did I mention what a GREAT time I had in SK?

> Sure, I missed my family:

Photo credit:  Gary Sykes

> Sure, I ate wayyyyy too many cupcakes:

(No, I didn't eat them ALL... These are the leftovers from the batch I bought for our table!  And then I forgot them at Janet's place - hope Ken is enjoying them, Janet! :))

> Sure, I drank REAL coffee for the first time (iced cappuccinos don't count)...

(Two cups, actually - and was bouncing off the walls all day...)

> Sure, the Saskie girls made fun of me for being an Eastern city girl...

But I learned a lot in five days:

1)  The "ferry" that they decided to take me on (since the lake wasn't frozen enough to DRIVE across) is not really a ferry.

Not like a REAL ferry, anyways, like the MV Jiiman.

It's more of a dock.  That travels back and forth from bank to bank.  And can fit only four cars at a time.  Or is it six?

Amanda and Janet were so tickled by my naivété that they insisted on taking my photo with Mr. Neudorf:

Yep.  Me in all my jet-lagged glory.  And the ferryman.

Don't worry - I didn't pay him.  (I've listened to Chris Deburgh before).

2)  Strange conversations occur around a kitchen table at 8:00 pm on a Thursday night whilst pedicures à la Kate go 'round... 

And Kate can turn a very pretty shade of red when you mention Santa... :D

3)  My Blackberry takes crappy photos.

This is even prettier IRL!  The necklace, not my turkey wattle... :s

4)  My lovely friend, Kate, in addition to creating the prettiest toes around (my daughter was very jealous, K!!), is also an accomplished jewelry artist.  She made me that gorgeous necklace above at SK Scraps:

I left it with her to tighten up some loose links... and I miss it (and her!) already. :( 

5)  Eastern vs. Western vocabulary:

A "dugout", in the prairies, is where the cows drink.  A "slough" (a.k.a. slew or slue) is where the cows pee.

"Dainties", in the prairies, are not panties, as they are sometimes referred to in the Eastern provinces.  They are tiny desserts.  So if a SK man invites you over for dainties after dinner, don't be offended - he's not a perv... he's just a gentleman.  Who probably likes to bake.

And lastly, a "bunnyhug" in the prairies, is identical to what the rest of the world* refers to as a hoodie.

*okay, maybe not the world, but at least in Ontario...  and I already knew this one!

Many thanks to transplanted Westerner, RhuBarbRiley Pie, for sharing those little tidbits with me.

6)  Them Albertan girls can SING!!

Well done on the Madonna table theme, ladies!  Brought back lots of high school memories...  some not all that flattering for me!  Can you say "cut-off gloves and asymmetrical earrings"?

7)  Amanda is a pot head*.  And Linda likes to show everyone her red bra**.

And she rubbed my bum a lot too, come to think of it... If I hadn't have liked it so much, I may have been offended. ;)

*Not really. ** Kind of. :)

8)  My SK friends and I may look normal in photos...

(L to R, starting at back left:  Janet, Kate, Amanda, Andrea (or Ahn-drea, according Amanda), Corinne, me, Melissa)

But when we think the camera is off...

Ha.  Busted. :)

So, I should probably write this trip off, just for the sheer educational value.  Hmmm...

And not only did I learn a lot, but I got to meet some new friends that I have met through this wonderful scrapbooking industry!  I'm sure there are more, but these are the ones of whom I have photos...

Lizette (pictured above, far right, in the Madonna-wanna-bees photo)

Linda (the bum-toucher...LOL!)

Jess  I was happy to meet Jess at SK Scraps this year - we met online several years ago, so it was nice to finally meet in person!

And it was nice to finally meet fellow Canadian Scrapbooker teammate, the very talented and beautiful Christy Riopel!

I felt like I've known Christy for years - don't you love when you meet online friends like that?

Christy has some great photos from SK Scraps up on her blog here... I HAVE to remember to send her an email, requesting that awesome photo of Amanda and I!!

And if you've made it this far, thank you!  I hope I haven't offended anyone by this post - I'm naturally sarcastic and it sometimes comes across as quite b!tchy in text! LOL!

Jumpin' back in...

Today, I opened a new bank account.

In itself, not blogworthy news, really.  Unless of course, it's a bank account for my new business!

That's right - I've decided to jump back into the photography world!

After not being a professional photographer for years, I've come to realize that I miss it.  I miss interacting with the wee ones and families and bellies and yes, even weddings!  Even though weddings are usually quite stressful (imagine that you are in charge of preserving the most important day in a woman's life... has your blood run cold?), I loved the excitement of the couple, the beautiful ceremonies, gorgeous flowers, and yes, even the upstage-y bridesmaids (there's one in every wedding photographer's repetoire,  you know...)

I have to thank Lisa Furtney of ScrapFest, for giving me the opportunity to teach, which sparked my interest again.  And in teaching further workshops, it fuels the passion, as I teach others to love using their cameras.

It's not all worked out yet.  No formal business plan.  No set prices.  Heck, I haven't even decided on a new camera yet!

But it is coming... so if you're relatively local, and would like to have photos taken of your family, your kids, your dog, or even just you, bookmark  http://www.suesykes.com/ and we'll let you know when we're ready for you... Watch for early bird booking specials!!  :)

A year ago...

A year ago today, I made the announcement that changed our lives.

In the past year:

- I have started to blog more consistently, sometimes daily!

- I suggested a new column and blog for Canadian Scrapbooker magazine, which has been very well received!!

- I watched my son grow as an athlete, and was so proud of him when he was invited to Regionals, and Provincial Team championships!


- I was asked to teach at ScrapFest and had a wonderful time!  I have since had more requests, which is awesome, because it's so much fun!

- I had more time to drop everything to sit and craft for an hour with my daughter, the budding little artist.

- we started renovations to my studio, in the hopes of creating an organized, peaceful retreat so I can begin crafting more.

- we started on a journey towards healthier living.  There were a few bumps in the road, due to a knee injury, but we got back on track.

- I was asked to Guest Design for an inspiring sketch challenge blog, Creative Scrappers.

- I have put together a couple of outlines for a novel, but am nowhere near ready to start writing it! :)

- I have had more time to get out and just shoot, rather than concentrating on events or required photos.

- I have had my moments when I miss designing kits and stamps, and everything that was involved with running Just Cre8, but would still have made the same decision.

I can't wait to see what the next year brings! 

Random Facts

Seems like a while since I've updated about our family life!  Not that I'm kidding myself and thinking that someone is waiting on pins and needles for an update...

It's really for my benefit, because at my age, remember what I ate for breakfast is taxing! :s

Here are some random updates:

*  There are only eight more school days left this year.  Even less for Aili, who is still alternate days.  The kids are looking forward to a lot of swimming at Aunt Liz's this year! :)

* We are all adapting to having Gary home (click here if you haven't heard the news).  In fact, we are all adapting quite well! :) 

* Connor competed in his final swim meet of the year this past weekend in Brantford.  It was a 3 day meet (Fri - Sun) and he swam in 8 races.  Most were top 20 finishes.  The pool was a Long Course (long course = 50m length, as opposed to short course, which is 25m) and since Connor trains on a SC pool, it presents a challenge, especially since all provincial races are on LC pools.  The WEST coaches have been lobbying for a LC course pool in the area to properly train the athletes.  Amanda Reason used to belong to the WEST club, but moved to Etobicoke last year to train on a LC course.  Hopefully, it will be closer to our end of the city... :)

* Aili is finishing up her last session of gymnastics for the year, and has begun T-ball and soccer this year.  She has missed a few gymnastics sessions because we have been away a lot this spring but she seems to like it.  I am looking at ballet classes now for her - she has pretty strong legs and toes (she can walk on her very tippy-toes for a very long time!!) and is constantly pirouetting and jete-ing across the room...

* I'll be teaching another Hands On! workshop next weekend in Kitchener at The Art House Studio - looking forward to it!

* I've just finished my Fall 2010 Hands On! photography article for Canadian Scrapbooker, as well as a feature article for this issue on a subject that is close to my heart.  It comes out on newsstands on September 1st!

* I've been pretty good about my Project 52 photo-taking!  Thankfully, I've had events each weekend so I'm taking photos!  We have started my studio renovation and so I will be making my quota by documenting the process with photos!  So far, there's a big hole in my wall where my French doors will be going!  Tomorrow we are shopping for potlights! I'll share photos this week...

* I'm working on plans to organize a large crop in my area.  Still trying to sort out the details like location and pricing, but I'm hoping to have it in August or September!  I may have to settle for October though...

* We are excited to be FINALLY heading down to Pennsylvania this summer to visit my cousins there!!  I think the last time we went for a visit, Connor was only 18 months old!!  It's been so hard to coordinate schedules and timing and $$ too - we were almost ready to go last summer but had to cancel at the last minute!  And even this year, we had just confirmed our plans, when Gary received the news about his job and we almost canceled again.  I'm just glad we didn't have to!!!  Oh I'm so excited to see my cousins again - I'm actually squirming in my seat!!  Not long now, Mary - I'll be parked on your doorstep before you get a chance to hide! :)

I'm sure there are more updates that I just can't recall right now... See?  Clearly, I'm losing my mind!