Sanity

Forme sanity is kept by crafting.  It's what clears my mind and allows me to think of other things.  So, here are some long term projects I have completed...

I have wanted a chalkboard for years.  I didn't know where to put it.  I found this spot on the landing, and I like it.  Of course it needed to be dressed up for fall.  

Last Christmas I saw a noël sign and wanted to make one.  I've been collecting since then, the N is made from shims Terry gave me, the O is an after Christmas deal at less than $1, the E was free with a coupon at Michael's and the L is made from leftover wood from framing the chalkboard!  I love how this came together.  I still want to add something under the N, like a small nativity maybe?? 

That's it for today.  Thanks for stopping by!

Some Wedding Scrapbooking!

When we visited Jon and Vanessa in the summer, we found out that they had not yet printed their wedding photos!!  Almost 3 years later!  (Shameful, I know!!)  So, I offered to scrapbook their photos and take care of the printing, if they took care of the cost.  I finally started yesterday, and here is page one...

 

I bought a scrapbook kit called "Shabby Couture" (from Etc by Danyale) which contained their colors and seemed just right for Vanessa.  It's a little tricky because it's not the cutesy style I typically use, but I'm glad to expand my horizons a little. And that picture?  Pure genius.  It's so THEM.  Melissa took the pictures, and this is one of my favorites because of how it captures their personalities just right! 

It's Fall!!

I started fall decorating a couple weeks ago!  Finally, now that the weather feels right, let's take a look at our fall decor!

This is the kitchen shelf... Jars full of fall-ness; homemade fabric pumpkins, acorns, plastic pears and bejewelled corn!

The stove, with another of my little homemade pumpkins!

The shelves.

More little pumpkins and a delicious smelling candle.

My bought-it-cheap pumpkin, which just needed the d re painted on Lord.

Lots of new pillow covers, using fabric I had around the house! Yeah!

Last, but not least, our table!  The box is filled with fake leaves, squash and berries.  Oh, yeah, and a few Yankee, Macintosh candles thrown in for good smell!

Thanks for taking the tour!  I think I have one more project to share.  I will share when it's done!

Shhh..Don't tell her!!

Someone I know and love had a big birthday.  So we celebrated!!  I think she was surprised!  What do you think?

It was such fun to plan food and décor that coordinated with the theme of the party, outdoorsy pic nic! 

Once we got through some food, we played a few games, including one where we reviewed the blessing Missy has been in our lives.  She has shared so many valuable lessons with us all: The righteous are bold (Proverbs), drive slow, buy butter in the USA, and always smile!!  It was lots of fun!!  Of course we had to throw in some silliness and stab at fruit flies with skewers...

We love you Missy!  Have a blessed year!

Welcome baby!!!

Olivia Auguste has finally arrived!  And she is beautiful!  I'm missing the bonding that should be going on right now!  You only get to meet your crazy aunt once for the first time!  I treasure my relationship with my nieces and nephews.  It's the one area in my life I find it hard to live deliberately.  I need to be closer.  Maybe one day!  Meanwhile, I will enjoy knowing she is here, safe and sound, that her and Vanessa are doing well!

Dear Olivia,

I am so glad you are here!!!  I love you more than I can possibly explain.  This great journey called life which you start on today will be difficult at times and easy and carefree at times.  Through it all, know that you are loved, by your mom and dad.  And your crazy aunty Trisha.  And the rest of this family.  None of us are perfect, but we love each other.  Your mom and dad are great.  You will find them to be spontaneous and crazy, but also fiercely loyal and comforting when you need it.  Never be afraid to speak your mind to them.  They have probably already said something similar at some point (if the deny it, come see me, I will tell you stories!!).  This means they will be able to help you learn and grow through situations, so, speak your mind, but always listen to theirs as well, they know stuff.  And if you're ever not sure about that, I'll remind you.  

There will be TONS of hugs, kisses and cuddles.  There will be some tears.  If you learn to listen to your parents, and obey God, there will be a lot less tears.  Either way, I pray you will grow to be a strong and faithful girl, caring for all, and serving our Lord faithfully!

I love you little one!  I can't wait to make great memories with you!!

Love, Aunty Trisha

Mourning and Hope

This post is a peek into my heart, my feelings, my thoughts about this time in our lives.  It has been such an intensely emotional time, I just trudged through the days, one foot in front of the other.  Now that things have slowed down a little and I can breathe, I am slowly unpacking the events of the past year and examining them one at a time.  Trying to avoid anger and bitterness, and yet still speak on these events and hopefully grow through them. 

Merriam-Webster defines mourning as:

1:  the act of sorrowing

2a :  an outward sign (as black clothes or an armband) of grief for a person's death

 b :  a period of time during which signs of grief are shown

 

Obviously, to an outsider, we have mourned the deaths of three loved ones.  But a wise friend pointed out to me that dealing with chronic disease is a series of deaths.  Every time the dreaded disease takes away your ability to do something, it is a death of sorts.  Mourning will occur.  When your life plan is drastically altered, it is a form of death, and mourning will occur.  And so, less obviously, we have also mourned many other losses: loss of the ability to play hockey, loss of the ability to work a 9-5 job, loss of some retirement dreams, loss of finances to take our second honeymoon, loss of choice of who earns our one income, loss of pain free living, and on the list goes.  So I get numb, I stop and curl up in a ball and wait...for the pain to lessen, for the mourning to pass, for the light at the end of the tunnel.  BUT...the more time passes the more I see there is no end in sight in this life.  And so I am learning to live with the grief.  After all, none of this is a surprise to God.  None of this is outside his plan.  None of this changes who He is.  None of this changes my eternity. 

Now that is the hope we read of in scripture...

 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; ⁴ and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; ⁵ and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Romans 5:3-5 (ESV)

 

 

Travel Journal

I made my first travel journal!  I've always wanted to make one, so when my hubby and father-in-law headed off to Gaspe to scatter my step-mother-in-law's ashes, (more about that confusing term later...) I thought it was the perfect time to try it out!

I simply took chipboard (very thick card stock) and cut it to 4x6 pieces.  One for each day of the trip.  I punched holes on one side for the rings.

Next I went through and added number tabs and a space to write on the right side, and envelope halves on the left side of each double page.  Now, my guys only came back with one ticket stub, so I removed the envelopes.

When they returned home, with the journaling side dutifully filled out, I printed off the pictures they had taken.  I added these in, along with a few fun embellishments, and there you have it!  All done!

The guys said it was super easy to use, and it all came together quickly for me, so I'm pretty sure this is something we will do again!!

 

I think this trip was healing for all of us.  I really miss Nicole.  I miss joking about our relationship: step-mother-in-law, in French, is belle-belle-mere. Literally translated, pretty, pretty mother!!  She always had a project on the go to share with us.  She loved to hear all about out trips to Nova Scotia.  She loved the water.  She loved history.  So many common interests, I miss sharing these things with her.  Knowing her ashes still had to be delivered to their final destination had me still in some way on edge, feeling a responsibility.  Now that is done, I feel that I can just remember the good memories!