HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

What fun I had today with the grade 3's today! Everyone was dressed up so fun and SCARY!! The weather turned around and it is BOO-U-TIFUL for all those ghosts goblins and us witches! I love dressing up and having a bit of fun, my children were slightly embarassed of me this morning while I drove them to school. I dressed up like a witch....a good witch..... and treated myself to a Tim's coffee. "MOM YOUR NOT GOING LIKE THAT!"

So funny those kids of mine, they need to lighten up and be silly once and awhile. So I went into the clothing store with Cam and helped him find a new winter coat....dressed like a witch...What's the big deal??? Jeeesh! So I stopped at the High School and greeted Michaela and her friends...dressed like a witch.....her friends thought I was "The Bomb..." I think that's a compliment! And Brendan...well I drove him to work this morning and it was his friends that gave me my extra large, 2 cream, 1 sugar at the drive thru window. They laughed and he cringed. But it's over now and I'm finished playing dress-up for today, I know one day they will look back and remember their goofy mom and maybe then they will have a good laugh about it like I did! Happy Haunting!

There is just something refreshing and wonderful about the first snowfall of the season ! The air smells better, kids are excited, and the birds are fluttering around the bird feeder with their little bodies all puffed up trying to stay warm. Before we know it, the white stuff will be here to stay and we will be wishing it would go away so for now I am just going to enjoy it's early arrival .
The fire is going in my studio and is beckoning me to go in and play and so I do believe that is exactly what I'm going to do!
Stay creative (and warm!)

SAYING GOOD-BYE TO MY DEAR FRIEND....

I had a long night last night tossing and turning thinking of my sweet Akeela being so ill. I was so happy to see her but my heart broke when I realized just how much she much have suffered out there in the dark,cold,lonely bush. My happiness quickly turned to sorrow and I knew in my heart that this would be our last night with her. I built a fire for her inside my cabin studio where she had for many days and evenings spent at my feet while I painted and created. This studio had become her home as well because as the nights grew colder, her and Storm would sleep in there safe and warm. As the fire burned and I watched her weary eyes take me in, I said a prayer of thanks. Thanks for giving me this time with her, thanks for allowing me to say good-bye, thanks for giving me closure . It was as if she stayed alive all this time in the bush trying to make it home so she could see us again one last time. Michaela and Cameron took turns going out to the cabin to spend some time with her and check in on her. She was pacing and vomitting up a frothy white substance. She could'nt keep any water in and was clearly in alot of discomfort so I put her outside, led her to her pillow in our woodshed and allowed Storm to spend the night out doors with her.

I came inside and tried to sleep whispering another little prayer, "Please God if she is suffering just take her"

When I awoke I threw on my robe and went out into the dark cold morning calling out for Storm and Akeela. Storm came out of the shed wagging his tail sleepily and I let him off his chain. I called and called for Akeela and checked her empty pillow. I began to panic and my heart started to break I knew she was gone . I took a quick look around and followed Storm over to my cabin knowing what I'd find. My dear sweet Akeela laid down by my cabin door and went to sleep.

It's so hard losing a pet but I do find some comfort in knowing that she came back to us and gave us a few more hours. She is no longer in any pain, no more horrible food allergies and she is at peace. We have been so fortunate to have had her in our family and I will miss her dearly. Every time I light a fire in my cabin I will picture her by feet sleeping while I paint.

I AM VERY THANKFUL FOR CAMERON

This Thanksgiving was definately a time for me to reflect and realize the importance of my family. My son Cameron (17) , who is our official dog-walker, went out for a walk with our two dogs after dinner. After sometime he returned upset because our German Shepherd, Akeela, was seperated from him and our Black Lab, Storm. This was on Tuesday night October 7th. We live in an area that is surrounded by bush and lakes and it has bike trails and side roads as well. At night it becomes impossible to see anything so we thought that she would find her way home on her own. By the third night however, Cam decided that he would go for a walk and try to find her one more time and so I thought that would be okay since it was only 5:30p.m. It was cool and raining out and he left the house with only a light jacket. I started to get worried when at 7:30pm there was still no sign of Cam. I went out side and standing by the door was my lab Storm , lease still attached to him and no Cameron. My heart started to race and I jumped into the Tracker and started the search down every dirt road and driveway I could find. Every scenerio went through my mind. "What if he tripped and fell bumping his head as he went down?" "What if he's lost and a bear or pack of wolves find him!" I was a MESS!

I quickly phoned my daughter at home and she said he just called from a friend of ours......ACROSS THE LAKE!!! I raced home and waited for our friends to drive him home . Was I glad to see him! He was freezing cold, soaking wet, and clearly shaken. He had gotten turned around in the bush and could'nt find his way out! At one point he said he just laid down and thought that he'd have to spend the night. He also did'nt want to wander to far incase he got into a worse situation. He was pretty scared but then decided to try one more time. He finally found a dirt road and followed it until he found another road that he recognized. He followed that until he found our friends house . God heard my prayers!!

"THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!

Today ,to make things even better,when I returned home from work who do you think was in our driveway waiting for us??? AKEELA!! She is very thin and weak and cannot eat so I pray she will survive. She is such a sweet dog and has suffered so much in her life. 2 surgeries, almost drowned, severe allergies, and lost in the bush..... She's amazing a survivor just like Cam!

BIRTHDAY PRESENT FOR MARGOT!!

I just love making these personal pieces for special people in my life, and Margot is definately one of them! I try to incorperate little treasures that mean something for just that person. The tree is cool because she owns a business in which she sells seedlings to customers for wedding favours, for Earth Day, or even big business ground breaking events! She's amazing and an inspiration to me! ( Check out her web-site at http://www.evergreenmemories.ca/)

I am going to be making a few more of these pieces for some of my co-workers and they will give them as Christmas gifts this year! I'm excited that others love them as much as I do!

MY ELEMENT......

Your Element Is Air

You dislike conflict, and you've been able to rise above the angst of the world. And when things don't go your way, you know they'll blow over quickly. Easygoing, you tend to find joy from the simple things in life. You roll with the punches, and as a result, your life is light and cheerful. You find it easy to adapt to most situations, and you're an open person. With you, what you see is what you get... and people love that!