Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny. – C.S. Lewis

Good Day!

I have nothing crafty, just wanted to check in.
I have been baking and doing the usual stuff.

The Santa Claus parade is later this afternoon, and I have a ticket to see The Blossom Valley Singers! 

In my last post I mentioned calling 'Rent a Hubby'.
He came; in pajama pants! 
I almost LOL-ed!
At my previous job, we had a welder named Roy.
We called him pajama pants Roy.
It always irked one of my bosses; that Roy didn't bother getting dressed before he showed up for work!

Anyhoo, my rent a hubby was ordering the snow stops! 
Yesterday, Barb & I spent over an hour digging under the back deck to find the septic so it could be sucked out. The company that came is called Biffy in a Jiffy, but that's another story!
I was hoping my 'Rent a Hubby' would call yesterday saying he had the snow stops, so I could get all that done in one day.
Pretty sure they're in; it's been a week.
He's turning out to be a regular husband! 
Those of you with amazing husbands can ignore that last remark!

There's never a dull moment here at the commune!

I also had my vehicle serviced, at a little shop about 2 blocks from here; oil change etc.
The look on his face & incredibility in his voice when he said to me: "your antifreeze is good for up to -50!"
I laughed, and said I probably needed that where I come from!
This is a sign hanging in his shop.

It made me laugh too!

It's going to be a busy week!
Bingo is every Monday.
My mom has to go forever as, at the turkey Bingo she won $125 in gift cards! We were happy they were gift cards, and not real turkeys!
Tuesday night we're getting on the Light bus.
For $1 you get a ride around town to see all the Christmas lights!

The neighbor told me that we are half way through winter here!
I said, the days will start getting longer too!

Better go, I have to put my Roof Rake in the van, as it's getting returned. Unless someone smarter than me (yes I youtubed it) can get it to Telescope! It's a dud! None of us here can get the handle to extend, and the shovel part keeps coming off! That can't be good!

I also have a parcel to pick up at Paul's Superette! That's a little store almost anything that isn't Canada Post goes to!
Then meeting mom for coffee in town before the parade!

Sun is shining, it's a lovely day in the neighborhood, and it's about +4!

Talk to ya later, hope you're all well!
 

Two things prevent us from happiness; living in the past and observing others.~curiano.com

Hello!
I am trying to be more faithful about this blog business!
I haven't made any cards.
I did however make Snowman Soup!

Now I need to find 10 deserving folks!
I'm new here so I have the garbage truck driver, and the post person! In my previous life I would have gave them to co-workers(I'm not working), the Hairdresser(I don't have one here), ladies at the post office(I only go to the post office if I have parcels to mail)! Maybe the neighbors I know!

I have also been working on finger-less mitts!

 Wow! Shouldn't have taken that picture on my busy tablecloth!

I also dug out my little mailbox. It needed new lights this year. I'm not sure how old it is. Yes, I did make it!

Vanessa wasn't impressed when I posted the following picture on Instagram and said my tree was outside this year!

 I have been trying to go through all the Christmas 'stuff'!
No one needs all that, and I have listed some on the local Buy, Sell!

The back house needs some snow stop. It keeps the snow from falling off, and damaging/ hurting something or someone!

 I called & left a message with 'Rent a Hubby'! Really!
Wendy from the Welcome Wagon recommended him!

The snow is all the way down the mountain. Makes me think winter will get serious here one day soon!
Ignore the mill yard in the foreground!

 I found a recipe (Martha Stewart) for chocolate ginger chews with fresh ginger.
I was going to make them this morning, and go to mom's for coffee.
They have to be refrigerated overnight! OI!
Maybe tomorrow! They are in the fridge!
I did make  Orange & Date muffins.
Did some laundry, hauled wood to my little wood box!

The poppycock is made, nuts & bolts, Hot chocolate on a stick!
I was going to make Christmas crack today too.....we'll see.
Have 2 recipes I want to try!

We all went to Bingo on Monday.
Mom is not a Bingo player, and it's been forever since I went.
Mom won the blackout!
I said, you have to go again. You can't just win the money & not go anymore. They're having a turkey Bingo next week. We're all going! 

Went to A Christmas Carol on Sunday. Put on by the local drama group! It was fantastic!
Have tickets to see the choir in a couple weeks.
There's lots to do for under $20.
The Coffee Houses (music) we've been going to are $3. There's one on Saturday night.

Better go, get something else done today! 
Hope you're all well!
Talk to ya later!

“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” ― Dalai Lama XIV

Good evening!

I finally had a minute to play, only I'm not sure why I'm excited about it as Canada Post is on strike! 

And that was after; checking the trap line (rodent), making & put away poppycock, did some laundry, hauled wood to my little wood box, updated my 100 year old resume (OK, maybe 20; Kalen helped), there's no end! I'm so tired of cleaning & scrubbing with bleach!
Must be working though, knock on wood, as I have not caught a mouse in a trap yet. Even after they licked the peanut butter off one, and I put more on! Pretty sure I have shares in warfarin! I also have several bait traps.
Hopefully ALL the holes are plugged. Guess I'll find out as it gets cooler outside. 
And there's raccoons! I used to think they were cute, but they're very destructive!

Went to The Grinch last night. Had to see it in 2D, as mom has vertigo. 

There's a fall supper coming up on Saturday; there's also a Tea Party at the Library! And a flea market, and the usual Farmers Market! Sunday there's a Coffee House (music) in Canyon.

Anyhoo, here's the cards I made:

Brysons Christmas card, hoping it looks like a penguin, and isn't an EPIC fail! 

 This one is for his parents. Not much shaking going on with this card! All the sequins seem to stick to the sides!

 This next one, I made 4 at the Crop I went to in Calgary!
Just had to finish them!

There you have it!
Who knows when I'll get another minute to play!?
I am also missing a bag(?) of my Christmas/Winter punches!
I have no idea where they could be! I wanted to add snowflakes/holly to the inserts of the cards!

I have to download my pictures to my computer.
Got a new phone, and will go to town to get it activated etc. tomorrow!
Sometimes, that doesn't go well!

Better go!
Hope you're all well!
Talk to ya later!
 

If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough.~Mario Andretti

Hello!
I am doing my best!

I am in the process of making supper for the commune, my mom, and her friend Dorothy.
It's pizza night, and I made the one hour cinnamon rolls! 

This is what my hat looks like after pruning 15-17 fruit trees in the yard.

There's still 5-6 in the back 40; they will have to wait for Spring!

This house has issues, but I'm up for the challenge!
My nights are quieter, think I've (knock on wood) won the rodent battle!
No one's lived here for years.
I spent yesterday replacing insulation in the basement.
It was dirty, crammed in where ever; and we know insulation looses its R value when it's packed in!
It's fluffed and lovely in one small section. OI!
Don't judge! Took hours!
I filled holes, and don't think anything I vacuumed up was recent!

This was our redneck fix for the ramps (came with the house) that ice up when wet.

I'll get a runner for the flat part, when I go to town tomorrow.
Need to go to the library to print some stuff.
I NEED a new printer! It's really only printing what, and when it wants!
Also had my prescriptions refilled here.
Picked them up on Saturday when we checked out the Marketplace; that's people who have home based businesses, and the Craft sale at the Seniors Centre.
The pills for one prescription are not the same as I've been taking.
Going to ask why!

Making a list for some handy guy.
I have limits! Haha
I have a slow leak at an outside tap.
Need spray foam sprayed in one section of the basement. I am NOT a good spray foamer.
Need a deadbolt installed.
One plug in the kitchen doesn't work.
Need a 100 pound mirror hung......
There's a list!

2 weeks after I got here, I went to Calgary to a Scrapbook crop!
I'm a card maker mostly; I had a blast!
Lovely time, fun was had by all!
First time I'd ever been!
Sorry; I'm going to show you some of the Halloween cards I made there!

 
 I DID make Christmas card fronts too!

I had a lot of kits, and I cut out dies I didn't have on the big shot!
Also cut out stuff for my friends!
It really was a good time, and I'd go again! 

On a sad note, I missed Bryson's second birthday:

And going Trick or Treating with Sully, from Monsters Inc.
I didn't even dress up(horrors)!
I have NOT seen a child in this neighborhood, and no school bus goes by.
Had no children; that's why you buy Halloween treats you like! haha 

 
We face time at least once a week.
He's coming to 'bisit' and stay for 2 sleeps!
Haha

Better go, cut my stuff up for the pizzas!

Hope you're all well! 
Talk to ya later!
 

If we have the attitude that it is going to be a great day it usually is. ~Catherine Pulsifer

Good day!
I have moved!

I arrived in beautiful British Columbia the night of September 30.
Kalen & I bought property here over a year ago.
2 acres, 2 residences.
After a winter & spring with a nightmarish renter and property manager, we finally have great renters (they're related), and I'm here in the front house.  
Told Kalen I love living in a commune!
 
I had an awesome crew (of friends) load me up on the 28th of September, and some amazing friends(I'll never be able to pay back), drove the rental, and helped unload on the 1st!
The crew! 

We're almost done! This is the view from my driveway!
Took the UHaul back the next day!
We had the smaller one!

It was PACKED, as was my friends vehicle, and my van.
I had buffalo skulls on my back seat for the journey!
Don't ask, I didn't pack my van! 
Before I left, Vanessa wanted family pictures; which meant her little family, and me!
I have no idea what is happening here!

 
I do have to get into the craft area, which was somewhat organized yesterday, and make a birthday card for my little woga buddy! 
Who I sorely miss!
Vanessa posted this on Instagram; called
Woga with Amma

I did get a card made for him too!
Got mailed today.

 I have a wood stove; my first day with my new stove:

 That hasn't happened again, knock on wood, as I bought a really long silicone oven mitt at the $ store!

I live across the road from a mill!

This is out my back door!

We have a variety of fruit trees in the yard, and 2 HUGE walnut trees!
There is lots to keep busy at! I'm still settling in.
The house is about 80 years old.
Have to save up to redo all the plumbing, pretty sure the electrical should be too! 

I'm going to Calgary; Thursday to Monday!

The list is long, and mom keeps us on our toes too!

This is my new best friend.
Didn't have a garage door opener; had to run around!
I know, first world problems!
Programmed it myself.
I'm happy to report that the back house now has a working garage door opener too!

There, you're all caught up; if you're still reading the picture heavy post!
Hopefully there will be time for craftiness in the future!

Hope you're all well!
Talk to ya later!

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. – Winston Churchill

Hello!
It's still August!
Sorry, I have nothing crafty!
Last week I 'made' the kids go to the opening at the Corn Maze! 

One of Bryson's cousins were hanging out, so she got to come too!
We had a blast!
2-3 hours of mindless fun!
We DID take a stroller as advised.
They also don't sell water in plastic bottles~we took our own!
We were well prepared.
Bryson just chilled in his stroller, with his water & snacks!
He have walked for 2 minutes!

 Look at us having fun!

This is the way out!
Yippeee!

We came out with really dirty feet, tired & hungry!
It was a great day!
Hope you're all well!
Talk to ya later!

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched-they must be felt with the heart.~Helen Keller

Well, don't be shocked!
Life has definitely got in the way this year. 

I did get to the Amish auction sale!
Bought a chair! 

 Always great craftsmanship!

We got to send time with Friends, Fishing and Fireworks!
That was Vanessa's title on Facebook.

Roadtrip!

 Spent the July long weekend with these folks!

That's not everyone!

Gloomy, chilly, and fun!

The guys got to go fishing Saturday for a minute! 

Went to the Family Rebellion! 

 Hahaha, it did this shortly after we got there!

Downpours sporadically all weekend!

 My family!

We went to a circus that was in town.

Was pretty well done, but don't forget, we're Smalltown, Nowhere!

 It was my birthday last week, Bryson, and his dayhome provider, Maylene (Mayneen Bryson calls her) gave me this when I went ot pick him up!

I even made my mom a birthday card!

Her birthday is today.

Called her early as she was just on her way to church, then busy all day!

There you're all caught up!
We did get to the pancake breakfast, and our town parade which was held a day later because of rain!
rodeo was cancelled this year, first time in 68 years!
It's been delayed, but never cancelled.
We went to the pancake breakfast, and Tractor Parade up at the museum last weekend!
Sounds like we're all about the pancakes!
Next weekend we're going to the Corn Maze that's opening about an hour or so away! Then out for supper, and our monthly trip to Walmart! Haha.
Because we live in Smalltown, Nowhere, we can't afford to buy groceries at our one grocery store! It's worth it for us to drive an hour away. We save on gas what we pay for products.

Better go!

Talk to ya later!

Hope you're all well!  

 

You don't have to go fast. You just have to go.

Alrighty then!
If any of you are still around, I fell off the blogging wagon again!

This little person takes up a lot of my time!
He's 19 months old.

He's a busy little guy, and I'm still working, so we spend as much time together as we can!
He's my personal yoga trainer, an awesome mimic; yesterday he said 'What the heck!'
He helps bake, clean, I pick him him up 2 weeks out of the month from day care, I spend a lot of time in his backyard, as he loves the outdoors. Listens for birds, puppies and helicopters!
Anyhoo, we're going to see some horses today after his nap 
(e i e i o) haha!

Since I am packing to go to The Amish Auction sale in Montana with my mom next Saturday, thought I'd better get on here!

Kalen's girlfriend Megan had a birthday in May!
This was the card she got.
I asked Kalen for her favorite colors, he said purple, orange & green.
I said Halloween colors!
She got purple!

 
 Bryson & I made his mom a card for Mother's Day!

It's about 3 feet long. She loved it!

This next one was Vanessa's birthday card.
Don't forget, it has to be blue and have a dragonfly!
I went with a shaker card!
 

 I watched Bryson on her birthday so her & her husband could spend a day away!
Bryson & I made her Death By Chocolate, which they didn't find in their fridge until almost 11pm; we had it the next day!

 This is the picture I sent her about 9pm that night, assuring her everything was under control!

 I made one of Vanessa's friends a baby card.
She wasn't due until yesterday, but had her baby in May!
Good thing the card was done!

That brings me to the latest attempt at getting creative with an uncooperative little person!
This is for Bryson's dad for Father's Day!
He's just like his mother in that anything on his hands & feet is 'yucky' and he sure didn't want the paint on them!!! 
I did the hand print on the canvas the same time I did the ones for his mom's card! 
I am catching on! 
Still we have blurry feet!
This was plan B, as printing the poem on vellum, and trying to mod podge it onto the canvas didn't work!
It's in a scrapbook page frame, and turned out all right! 
Also, it has 4 raised elements as the distress inks I used on the canvas didn't want to dry, and I needed this done and off my list yesterday, as I'll only be getting home from visiting with my mom on Father's Day!!

 

 
 So there you have the latest condensed version about what's going on.
I'll let you know if I get anything amazing at the Auction! 

Hope you're all well! 
Talk to ya later!