Boys Rule Scrapbook Kits

I want to start off by saying that I love, love, LOVE the new Canadian scrapbook kit club by Laura-Lee. Boys Rule Scrapbook Kits is a few months old and trust me...you will love it!! I was lucky enough to be asked to be the Guest Designer for October to help showcase the sports themed kit. I focused on the football element first but I plan to use the other sports elements later on (when I remember where I have stashed those pictures...oops!). The three layouts here are 8x8 size to fit in the sports album that I have for each of my boys. Trust me when I say that I have enough supplies from the kit to do another dozen layouts at least of that size as well as some 12x12 also. We haven't had very good weather around here the last few days so I couldn't get the best photos of my layouts...time to invest in a light box I think.





Hurry and check out Boys Rule Scrapbook Kits for yourself. The new kits are put up on the site on the first day of the month with little sneak peeks before hand. I can't wait to check out the November kit tomorrow!!

A Thanksgiving to Remember

This year, Courtney and John made the turkey and trimmings for Thanksgiving at their place. I called it "Court and JB's First Annual Thanksgiving Dinner" thinking that this would start a new tradition, etc. Years down the road we would be talking about their first attempt at making the entire supper. Although they didn't have the timing down just right....mashed potatoes, gravy, dressing done an hour before the turkey, etc....the food was great. And, NO, I didn't nitpick or comment on anything negatively....I've never actually cooked the turkey part of it....my job has always been everything else. I was happy to help out where needed and have some good food after a long day at work.

But, something else happened that will forever foreshadow Court and JB's First Annual Thanksgiving Dinner.......getting stuck in the elevator on the way home. Yup, that's what I said....we got stuck in the elevator! AND IT WAS ALL KIP'S FAULT!!! The elevator has always seemed a little small and creepy...just like any little elevator in a little apartment building, etc. But last night, when we got in the elevator to go up to their place, we noticed blue padding hung on the walls. Obviously this is what they use when people are moving so they don't scratch up the walls (someone had a truck full of furniture outside). Fast forward to after supper when we are leaving. Walking down the hall, the boys were talking about zombies and if an apartment building is better than our house to hide, etc and comments were made about how many tenants could be potential zombies, would you take the elevator or stairs, blah, blah, blah. We got in the elevator, and Kip made a comment about how sketchy it looked and how sturdy it was.....start going down.....AND THE JERK JUMPED!!! Only once, and not really hard, but enough to mess up the elevator! Made a funny noise like it was off the track or whatever and then sort of had the noise that would make you think it was moving but it wasn't. Kip and I looked at each other and I have to admit, I called him a not so nice name...lol. I hate elevators, I hate small spaces, I hate taking elevators up more than a few floors b/c I don't like elevators or small spaces (did I mention that before?). So what does Kip do? Start pushing buttons. First the ones to open the doors...we might be on the main floor but the doors just didn't open. Hit the first floor b/c we might be on that floor. NOTHING!!! At this point, the boys realize that we ARE actually STUCK in the elevator. Patrick sits on the floor and starts reading his book....what does Eric do? He starts saying "oh no....oh no!" Kip thinks he is freaking out and tries to reassure him that we are okay and we'll be out in a minute. So, Eric says....that's not the problem....and proceeds to commence with the turkey farts! UGH!!

Kip wants to push the emergency button but having an alarm sounding in there is not my idea of fun at this point so I grab my cell to call Courtney and tell her we are stuck in the elevator. AND SHE DOESN'T ANSWER HER PHONE!! Thankfully, I have her John's cell number and he answers. I tell him what's going on and that no, it isn't a joke. They come out and start pushing the button in the hall. Courtney went to get the building manager and apparently he was very nonchalant about it....like it happens all the time!!!

We finally get out after what was probably only 5 minutes but feels like an eternity when you are the one stuck in the elevator (and have to pee). The manager is trying to tell us that there is nothing really to worry about b/c it's hydrolic and even if the cables break, it will fall slowly and not crash to the bottom of the shaft. Um, ya, whatever. NEVER GETTING ON IT AGAIN!! Then Courtney and John tell us that they never use the elevator b/c they think it's sketchy too. Seriously?

Oh, did I mention that they only live three floors up? Ugh. They boys were nice enough to remind me that I make them walk up three flights of stairs to the dentist "because the excercise is good for them" and then we get stuck in an elevator going down three floors. Yup, I do see the irony...thanks!

We were talking about it all the way home......remember that Thanksgiving when Dad jumped in the elevator and it got stuck? LOL

And the mojo is back :)

I have finally managed to complete a layout! My first one in months! Yay for me :) I used the sketch provided for the One Hour Fast Scrap Challenge at Sisterhood of Scrap. The universe was conspiring against me (internet/computer issues) so I wasn't able get it started until it was too late for the challenge BUT that didn't stop me from creating ;) I gave myself the same time limits provided in the challenge and cranked out a great layout if I do say so myself ;) Eric likes the layout but thinks I should have used a recent photo....not one that is 4 years old. That is a sad indication on how far behind I am in scrapping their football photos. I have 6 years of tackle to work on and seven years of flag. All in good time, I say...lol. I will be focusing on football pics next month...you'll have to wait and see why ;)



It has been a while since SOS hosted an online crop for the members and the new DT decided that since it is the start of the NFL football season, that football would be a great theme. Yes, I know those of us who love the CFL have been watching football games for months now...lol. (GO RIDERS!!) We have already had a couple of pre-season "games" and of course the One Hour Fast Scrap Challenge last night but the real fun is happening on the gridiron this weekend! Join us Sept 23-25 for our online football themed crop! Don't worry if you aren't into football b/c you can still play along using whatever photos and supplies you have. Great fun in store for everyone! I have to work Friday nite and Saturday morning but you bet your pompoms I'll be there as much as I can :)

I also completed a second layout last night. Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine has a new contest called "It's a Sketchy Challenge". The September challenge is to use the sketch along with at least ONE Canadian manufacturer on your layout and submit it for the online gallery. You may even be chosen for publication in the magazine...how cool is that?! A friend of mine recently started an online kit club called Boys Rule Scrapbook Kits and she featured a Canadian manufacturer (Lucky 7 Factory) in her August kit! I was mulling over whether or not I should do the sketch challenge and then it was also posted on SOS as the Sunday Sketch Challenge. I guess it was just meant to be...lol. I used a recent photo of Patrick and he absolutely loves the layout...especially the journaling. He's hoping it gets published! How many 14 year old boys want a scrapbook page of them published in a magazine, right? LOL



Anyways, time to go and get creative while my mojo lasts!
Chow :)

First Day of School 2011/2012

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Well, second most wonderful time of the year ;) BACK TO SCHOOL DAY!! Yipee!! You can't see me but I'm doing the happy dance...lol. It's only a half day so they will actually be home shortly but it's still a good day ;)




Patrick is in Grade 9 so this will be his last year at SMS (Spring Valley Middle School). Not quite sure how I feel about that yet. Probably won't hit me until the end of the year and the thought of High School kicks in. Cringe.



Eric is in Grade 7 so this is his first year at SMS. He doesn't seem worried about a new school at all....just what classes he will have with his friends. I don't know if it has something to do with having an older brother at the school because he is normally quite shy. I get all weird about it because my baby is in Grade 7. Wasn't he just in Kindergarten last year? Sniff.


Over the summer, Eric has really expanded his food tastes. He does not like to have anything on his plate touching and he doesn't like multiple ingredient dishes. It all started at Subway. He slowly graduated from a pizza sub on regular Italian bread to flatbread and most recently....Italian Herb & Cheese bread. Granted, it wasn't really HIS choice...mostly screw ups on ordering or they were out of one kind of bread. But his tastes are evolving none the less. He also now loves scrambled eggs. I have always had to make him basted or boiled eggs in the past but he was SOL one day and I refused to cater to him so it was scrambled eggs or nothing. I know...I am such a mean Mom...and yet I still manage to live with myself ;) Last week, I showed him how to make scrambled eggs himself. This morning he decided that instead of me making the eggs that he wanted to. So, he made scrambled eggs for himself and Patrick and was totally pleased with himself. So was I :) Patrick thought they were "alright".






Well, gotta go....boys just walked in the door :)

Back to Work + Back to School = Back to Reality

First things first. After 5 long months, I will be going back to work on Monday...FINALLY! Part of me is excited to have adult conversation everyday (my spouse isn't very talkative) but part of me is terrified about all of the changes that have happened (and NOT happened) at work while I was away. Case in point: I found out Tuesday that I would be going back this Monday and by Wednesday afternoon my work schedule had changed TWICE!! Really? Sigh. I also discovered that I enjoyed being home with the boys (for the most part...could do without the teen/pre-teen fighting) and would jump at the chance to work less and stay home more. Hopefully (crossing fingers and toes) there may be an opportunity for this to happen in the new year which again will depend on the changes made at work. We'll see.

And of course the winding down of summer and BACK TO SCHOOL!! (insert a choir of angels singing here). Yes, I know I just stated that I enjoyed being home with the boys....but not ALL day, every day. Eric is going into Grade 7 and Patrick into Grade 9 so they will both be in the same school this year after two years apart. I'm not sure how that will go yet but I'm sure it will work out just fine...right? I mean they are brothers after all and they'll watch out for each other and not just fight each other...right? Ugh...boys are so much work and worry.

The best thing about back to work and back to school? Back to normal routines and schedules! I can finally plan some me time...and of course "me time" means.....SCRAPBOOKING!! Yay! My shoulder is still a bit of an issue and will take some time to get things back to normal (especially with the movements from work) but I am focused on getting everything in my life back to normal. I'm just not "me" right now so that's a priority. Sisterhood of Scrap is having a DT call so I think I will give it a shot and get back into the game so to speak. I have so many things to catch up on....especially pics of our sweet little Granddaughter, Ava :) I have a new Cricut Expression machine on it's way to me right now so I can't wait to start that baby up and get creative :)

I'll be back in a few days to share!

Project Life

I have been debating getting Project Life by Becky Higgins for a couple of years. I love the idea of the product but don't take a photo everyday (or even every week/month sometimes) so just couldn't justify the expense of it. Recently, I had a little extra money and caved. I ordered the Tourquoise edition for 2011 along with a couple of boxes of journaling cards. I was totally thrilled when the box arrived in only TWO days instead of weeks or months....see....pays off to procrastinate....you receive your stuff way faster instead of pre-ordering and dying from the suspense...lol. Plus it helps that the new Canadian supplier lives in Alberta ;)

I was like a kid on Christmas morning opening up the package :) Who knew you could get so freakin' excited over a box of scrapbooking stuff...um, only EVERY other scrapbooker out there, that's who!! It took me about two hours to sort through the different elements of the system and get it all put in the page protectors. I went with a theme for each page and repeated the theme in an orderly fashion...I know....how anal of me, right? Surprise...lol. Once I finished I was so happy with it. All I needed to do was add the photos and journaling. PANIC!!

Umm...tap, tap, Hello?

Is anybody out there? Hi. My name is Wanita and I am a terrible blogger. Ahh...that feels much better. I confess, I am not a blog addict. Well, I am...but not with my own blog. I read tons of other blogs everyday but don't update my own. My life just doesn't seem as interesting as everyone else's. But, I have recently discovered that while it is great that a handful or so of my friends do actually read my blog (when I post), it truly serves a far more selfish purpose. This is my virtual diary or journal of sorts. Hmmm....imagine that. Using a blog as a diary or journal...who'd have thunk it...lol.

Lots has been going on around the Kyle household lately...most of it the usual monotonous day-to-day stuff but there are some other things thrown in.

The most significant development is that I have been off work since March 30th and I am going freakin' insane with boredom! To make a long and relatively uninteresting story short...when you hurt yourself....see your Dr. Don't "suck it up". If you aren't better after a few days....there just might be a bigger problem than you thought. After two months of physio I am now stalled in the recovery process while waiting for an MRI on my shoulder to confirm (or rule out) a probable rotator cuff tear. I have more range of motion in my shoulder than I did two months ago...but not as much as I should...and can't use that arm to lift...or do much else requiring certain movements which I need for work...and a lot of day to day tasks as well. Sigh. Everyone thinks that I am lucky to get a break from work (or "holiday" as they call it). My idea of a holiday is quite different that what I am currently doing...lol. I am hoping (no....praying) that I can get the MRI soon and get this all fixed. I would like to be back to work before the end of June...or sooner if possible. Remind me that I said this later on, okay?

A totally unexpected but welcome CHANGE

One more step towards CHANGE for me this year...and a healthy one at that :) I am going to excercise and *try* to eat healthier. Please do not panic! You are still viewing the blog of Wanita Kyle (scrappywmk) and no, it has not been hijacked...lol.

I decided that this is my year to get certain parts of my anatomy back up to where they were once located and firm up the jiggle. The "middle age spread" was starting to sneak up on me and that just won't do...I can't afford the new wardrobe to accomodate my little "cupcake" nevermind a full "muffin". Besides, everyone tells me that if I excercise and eat healthier I will feel better and have more energy. Which begs the question....how am I supposed to excercise if I have no energy?! The answer? Drive straight home after said excercise and collapse into unconsciousness on the couch...for now anyway.

A couple of weeks ago I had booked some time off work to regroup mentally and physically after an absolutely INSANE holiday season in retail (I know some of you are feeling my pain). That's when it happened. I was surfing online (can't remember exactly which site I was on) and there was a sidebar advertisement for a free week at Curves. Now, of course I had heard about Curves before and my sister had recently signed up and called me to share her experience (and weight loss) with me. I thought it was great but didn't think much more about it. And then I saw the ad. Hmmmm.... I clicked on the and entered my information to get the free week coupon (which I probably woudn't even have used if they didn't call me the next day). So, what harm would it do to just check the place out and see what they could do for me. I went in at the assigned time (with the new, clean runners) and had an assesment.

Let me just say that I am NOT the typical Curves customer...at least that's the impression I got by all the sideways glances and curious looks...lol. I may be really petite and appear healthy and slim but it's amazing what a good pair of jeans can hide and support ;) I need to strengthen, tone, and tighten (oh, and gain weight...please don't be a hater..."skinny" people have issues too).

By the third day, I decided to sign up for a month to see if I could actually do the workouts before taking the leap for a year. The workouts seem to be going well and aren't aggrivating my wrist or knee to badly. I can always adjust my routine to compensate if there is an issue. It's only been two weeks and yes, there were a couple of days where I was just sooo tired that I had to force myself to go but I'm sure that will get better as I progress and notice the changes more. I have found the easiest way so far is to stop on my way home from work but that will change soon when my work shifts start going all over the place again. I only need to go three days a week to follow the Smart program but I can go as many days as I want and do just a regular workout. I'm thinking more than three days will be a while coming yet...lol. Baby steps :)




Don't forget to check out this post to enter and win some blog candy from me during February :)

Blogger of the Month at SOS!!

Helen asked me if I would like to be the Blogger of the Month over at Sisterhood of Scrap and of course I said YES! I just hope I don't bore you all while you do the treasure hunt through my blog...lol. And I probably should have updated my music list too, but alas, my blog is neglected. I promise to update regularily in February with all of the goodies I make for the "Your Crop, Your Way" challenges :)

As a little reward for the ladies suffering through my blog treasure hunt this month, I am offering you some goodies from my "declutter the stash" mission I will be doing next week! Don't worry, if you aren't visiting my blog from SOS (why aren't you on SOS!?!), you will still have a chance to win some goodies!

1. Become a follower of my blog (if you already are just note that in your comment...and thanks!)

2. Comment on my blog each week for a chance to win.

3. Become a new member of SOS (and mention that I sent you in your new member introduction thread).

4. Participate in the SOS "Your Crop, Your Way" challenges that I will be re-posting here and add a link to your finished project in my comment thread.

EACH item above will get you an entry into the goodie draws (that's right...plural) and EACH comment will get you an entry as well :)

So, come on over to Sisterhood of Scrap for some fabulous inspiration from the new DT, fun games and challenges on a weekly basis, and some helpful hints and ideas...and of course just plain old chit chat :)

Hope to see you there...and here....all month long! And, just in case you missed it, here's the link to Sisterhood of Scrap one more time for you ;)

Chow!

FYI...according to the "John Tesh Radio Show"...I shouldn't use that particular phrase b/c it's too informal and I don't speak Spanish. Well, I didn't spell it the "Spanish" way so it doesn't count...just like my name isn't spelled the "Spanish" way b/c I'm not Spanish...hahaha!

Finding the Mojo

I've been in quite the creative rut lately and was ready to dig out my supplies and play for a change. What better opportunity than the Sisterhood of Scrap One Hour Challenge! The sketch is provided as well as a little "hint" list of what else you will need so it should be easy-peasy, right? NOT! I am not a fast scrapper...I like to take my time and play around with the layout before I commit. I am very easily distracted not to mention the fact that the MINUTE I start to create something, EVERYONE in the house needs something from me! ARG!!

I did manage to get the layout completed within the hour and it is a very special layout as well :) The photo is an ultrasound picture of our very first Grandbaby! My step-daughter, Randi and her boyfriend, Jeff are expecting in June. We are totally thrilled and can't wait. Grandpa has already purchased John Deere baby supplies for her ;)

Once I finished the One Hour Challenge, I decided to complete some of the other challenges posted for January as well ;)
January 10th Challenge- Use a coaster to make an altered item for your wall or desk. I made a mini album :)


January Card Challenges:
Create a shaped card:


Use a zipper on your card

Use chipboard on your card

Use something embossed on your card

This is a photo of my "helper", Boo. She always has to be involved in what you are doing. Zoom is the same way but I think he was napping at this point...lol

Here's to a New Year full of "NEW"

"They say that a journey of a thousand miles begins with one single step...first step taken :)"

That quote was taken from my Facebook status on January 4th, 2011 @ 8:27am. I said that this was going to be our year of changes and it will be. There will be, dare I say, hundreds or even thousands of "little" changes for us, but also a couple of "big" changes as well.

So, you may have already noticed one of the little changes...the new look of my blog. I'm not sure about it yet...let me know what you think. Like it, don't like it, I'm still deciding ;)

The first step towards a BIG change was DH applying for a job back home in Saskatchewan. Now I am trying not to get too excited (as if that is even possible) b/c I don't want to be too disappointed if it doesn't work out. But...I really, really, REALLY want this! REALLY! I miss our family, friends, and the "nothing" that I love and people who aren't from the prairies just don't (and can't) understand. I want to look out my window and see miles, and miles of "nothing"! To me, the "nothing" is waves of amber grain in the fields, huge spirals of hay bales, wild flowers and soft, rolling hills as far as the eye can see. Winter is gorgeous too! Untouched blankets of snow on the ground and fence lines, deer wandering across the fields to find tall grasses to graze on, the whorefrost on the trees and the sundogs when it is freezing. And the SUN on horizon...what a wonderful concept to actually see the sun rise and set on the horizon...not disappear behind a mountain range. To me this is HOME...and I want it :)