This gallery contains 10 photos.
I was invited to the 2nd annual Oscar Par-tay at the V.I.F.F. this year by my good friends Mia and Barbara. The very first event was such a huge success that they decided to make it an annual event. So, anyways, they have a red carpet and fashion gendarmes as you watch the show on … Keep reading
This gallery contains 42 photos.
What can I say about 2011?! It’s funny when you look back and reflect it’s difficult to remember what happened. I take a lot of photos, which, by the way, is my passion; and also a good thing, because it gives me a timeline of events that happened this year. I haven’t had much luck … Keep reading
I just got notice that I’ll be laid off by the end of the year. My job is going to be completely phased out. I’m incredibly sad; I feel like I’ve been hit with a mac truck…totally blind-sided for sure! The thought of looking for a job in these times is depressing! How am I going to compete with a 20-something year old? I’ve got a lot of skills and I’m very organized, and creative, but is it all going to be enough?
Maybe I’ll feel different once I’m finished feeling it??!! Maybe … maybe not!! How do you drag yourself up and feel positive that everything will work out okay? Right at this very moment I don’t feel like there is a “brightside” in the horizon!! It sucks!!!!!
Day three…
I’m doing much better now that the news has set in. I’m feeling more confident and doing my best to stay positive – even though at times I don’t feel it 100%. My daughters have been pillars of strength for me…it makes my heart soar that they’ll step in and take care of things if it got to that point. My youngest daughter’s optimistic attitude made me feel so good! She said, ’everything is going to be alright…you’ll see’ and she really believed it…how could I not?! I’ve been receiving great ideas and advice from family and friends. I’ve been formulating ideas; ideas that I’ve been thinking about for quite awhile. Now is the time to put it into action and I just have to have the confidence to see these projects through….maybe they’ll lead somewhere wonderful!! Anyways…if anyone is reading this….I’ve stopped crying…stopped feeling sorry for myself….the ‘woe is me’ attitude is gone!!! I’m in fighting mode!!! Stay tuned…I’m in for an adventure…
Two months & three days later…
Well after many negotiations, I still have a job, actually a “new” job with a new job description. It was 2 mths of stress wondering what my future held. The emotions were so raw and I doubt I will ever feel quite the same. It’s as if the universe as I knew it took a shift. Don’t get me wrong…I’m grateful I still have a job. I just feel so despondent and disheartened as to how this whole situation was dealt with. In the new year I’ll be learning a new job and new processes; I’m grateful I’ll be able to add something new to my resume. Throughout this whole process, I’m proud to say I held my composure (in public anyways), and even at my lowest points I kept a positive attitude. My daughters were an amazing amount of strength for me. Each provided me with the support I needed to get me through. My oldest listened to every detail I told her and actually came up with ideas I completely missed to help in the negotiations. My youngest is a great listener, as well, and she provided me with the strength I needed to move forward everyday, even when I didn’t want to, and believe me, there were days when I didn’t even want to get out of bed, I remembered what advice she provided to me and it lightened the load tremendously. This is what I learned throughout this process……….
I remembered throughout this whole situation how much I was aware that I was learning and it was not all for nothing. I kept saying to myself, I know god has put this in my path so that I can learn new life lessons; with this frame of mind, it helped me get through what I needed to and gave me the spiritual strength to move forward each and every day. I know I must sound like a cliche, but that is truly how I felt. My world has shifted and I’m a better person for it. I’ll take these life lessons with me as I move onto the next steps called life.
Just recently, my daughter washed her sweater with her “hand wash only” scarf lol! She learned a good lesson that day to read the wash instructions on the label – it’s there for a reason! I googled how to remove dye stains from clothing; I came across one fix – mix equal parts vinegar & laundry soap; brush it onto the clothing item. I did this, but it didn’t remove the dye completely. So, I figured the best solution was to dye it. I went to my favourite fabric store; I found a dye for .49 cents in Riviera Blue. I’m so pleased with the results! Amazing!
My new passion lately is working on one of many different creative projects I’ve got going, sewing, photography, upcycling vintage clothing, etc …. the creative side of my personality is always on alert for new things and different ways to make my life beautiful. I’ve found a couple of websites lately that offer me inspiration. As I scroll through these two websites I’m amazed and awed by people’s imaginations and creativity, and it makes me feel so excited. I love that feeling…that feeling that you get when your imagination is running wild with ideas. Check them out for yourself…
http://pinterest.com/
&
http://craftgawker.com/
I love the idea of upcycling – making old into new again! My daughter and I recently went to the local Sally Ann and I bought a bedside table that I want to refinish. I found a furniture project on craftgawker that I’m using as inspiration. It’s almost an exact replica of the table in the inspiration photo! I paid a whole $24.99…you gotta love a good thrift store deal! I’ve been looking for a table or shelf for my bedside for a while now. It was serendipitous that I found the inspiration photo and then the table! My criteria for a table was to have a shelf for books, a small drawer, and lastly the table needed to be solid wood – I didn’t want any of that particle board stuff. I’m ecstatic and can’t wait to get going on this project! I’ll keep you posted.
Fabulous thrift store find!
I’ve been a volunteer for the VFMF for about 15 years. Hard to believe…the time has come and gone so quickly. Every year there is one band that captures my heart…this year it was Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three. They were absolutely awesome and, for me, a highlight at this year’s Folk Festival. It was interesting to see the smaller crowd on Saturday in the mud soaked Jericho Park. Only the real folkies came out and endured the rain and muck to see and hear some absolutely wonderful music! Since I’m a list builder here is my top ten most interesting moments at this year’s festival:
I had a lot of time on my own this year at the park; and got to thinking as I listened to music and watched the crowd…everyone should experience the folk festival at least once in their lifetime…it is just too awesome not to be a part of. The amazing talent and high quality of music you are exposed to is so fulfilling and gratifying. Anyways, if you haven’t gone, maybe next year give it a shot. One of my friend’s once said…I’ve never heard of any of the bands or musicians playing at the festival…who cares if you’ve heard of them or not, the music is out of this world! Step outside of your box and go…if you have children…they’ll absolutely love it!
Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three
Me 'n Pokey
Me 'n My Baby
I love lists like this…I’m can’t remember where I found it, but it sure is full of interesting information…who would’ve thought…oven cleaner to strip paint??!
1. Put the Style Back in Your Curling Iron
Before using a curling iron that has caked-on gel or hair product stuck to it, spray on a light coating of oven cleaner. Let it sit for an hour, then wipe it off with a damp rag and dry with a clean cloth. Make very sure that you don’t use the iron until it is thoroughly dry.
2. Wipe away a bathtub ring
Get rid of stubborn stains or a ring around your white porcelain bathtub by spraying it with oven cleaner. Let it sit for a few hours, then give it a thorough rinsing. Do not apply oven cleaner to coloured porcelain tubs; it could cause fading. And be careful not to get the oven cleaner on your shower curtain, as it can ruin both plastic and fabric.
3. Clean a cast-iron frying pan
If you need to clean and re-season an encrusted second-hand cast-iron frying pan you found at a garage sale, start by giving it a good spraying with oven cleaner and placing it in a sealed plastic bag overnight. The next day, remove the pot and scrub it with a stiff wire brush. Then, wash it thoroughly with soap and water, rinse well and immediately dry it with a couple of clean, dry cloths. This technique eliminates built-up gunk and grease, but not rust. For that, you’ll need to use vinegar. Don’t leave it on too long, though. Prolonged exposure to vinegar can damage cast-iron cookware.
4. Remove stains from concrete
Get those unsightly grease, oil and transmission fluid stains off your concrete driveway or garage floor by spraying them with oven cleaner. Let it settle for 5 to 10 minutes, then scrub with a stiff brush and rinse it off with your garden hose at its highest pressure. Severe stains may require a second application.
5. Strip paint or varnish
For an easy way to remove paint or varnish from wooden or metal furniture, try using a can of oven cleaner; it costs less than commercial paint strippers and is easier to apply (that is, if you spray rather than brush it on).
I temporarily deleted my facebook account, and have been fb free for almost a week and it seems like an eternity! I’m not sure how long this sabbatical will last, but I just needed to get away for awhile! In one sense it’s liberating, but I’m also feeling a disconnect. I want to make an effort at experiencing life away from the computer; especially at home. I’m really missing fb though; I’m sure I won’t last much longer, maybe another week!
How did I get so addicted?
Update: I’m back on fb…lasted 2 wks! Sad! lol!
I wish that I had the opportunity to get to know you better. I have the few memories of you from when I was a child, but now that I’m an adult, I wish you were around. My Mom told me you had a crazy, wonderful sense of humour, and you really knew how to make people laugh! It sounds to me, like this is what she fell in love with; but that pretty much is all the information she would share with me about you. I went through life accepting that I would never see you, but now that I’m older, I really wish that we had more time together! You had your reasons, I’m sure! But, it would’ve been nice to hear from you once in awhile. Maybe you tried, but I will never know that. Your granddaugthers are fabulous and wonderful; you would be so proud of them. They never cease to amaze me. They’re so kind, thoughtful, smart and fun to be around!
So, today on Father’s Day…I’m thinking of you…and love you!
It’s a shame that the fun we’ve been having and the camaraderie we shared these past few weeks have culminated to one night of madness!! Makes me so very sad and angry that, we, as a whole, will be judged on the world stage as a bunch of poor losers!!! The Vancouver Canucks worked so very hard for the team, the fans, and this city! It’s a tremendous loss, I get it, but the energy wasted in such a negative way is depressing and my heart is breaking for our city!!
