Rock On, Sistahs!!!!

Finally, I post. I haven't really been on the internet as of late. A quick check here and a fast peek there. Truth be told, I have been curled up, in front of the laptop, watching dvd after dvd after dvd. Hello Sex and the City. This is the 3rd tv series I have watched since the summer began. Grey's and Desperate Housewives were definitely my favourites (hello McDreamy! 4 seasons in a week and a half. I love it!) and, while I am enjoying them, I am not head over heels, I have to admit. I am in Season 4 now - - Miranda just had her baby and Big just moved to Nappa. (anyone else think he isn't the greatest - - or sexiest - - of actors?) Because of this, my blog has been lacking, even though it wasnt my intention. That being said, I bring you the overdue Halloween post. Better late than never!

I went a little more over-the-top for our school's afternoon activities celebrating this spook-tacular day ... and boy, was it fun! Because it is only a half day, I usually don't have time to do more than than throw a costume on and make a few adjustments. This year, however, with the help of my friend and colleague Natasha, I was able to spend a bit more time prepping and was ready for the noon hour. I shocked many of the students and even made poor Nathaniel in JK back peddle with buldging eyes when I walked into the JK/SK room. My nephew was a little caught off guard and quickly stated that he didnt like my new look. (I have to admit ... I don't get many of them but I am loving those stolen moments that I get seeing him in the hallway or passing by his classroom quickly. It would be so easy to show favouritism but I am doing a great job maintining that professional side - if I do say so myself lol) A few of the younger students weren't quite sure what I was but one of the sweet dears in grade 4 loudly and excitedly exclaimed, " I know what you are. You're a TEENAGER!!!!!!!!!!!" It's was quite funny. Unfortunately, I forgot to switch out my lenses before I left in the morning so I had to make do with my 70-300mm and my 50mm which isnt great for self- portraits, as you can see. You can still get the jist of what I looked like ... some of the kids even think I should keep that look. My poor hair would never support it!!

i *HEART* autumn

Definitely my favourite season. Here are a few more photos from my day in the Gatineau's.

Autumn Splendor

What an incredible day in the Gatineau's. I was awe struck by the beautiful colours that surrounded me. I honestly can't imagine what it would be like to live on a country that didn't have 4 seasons. To not see or know the true warmth fall colours bring. A day like yesterday is the only thing that makes me sad about my August wedding day. I had always wanted a fall wedding but, being my first year working in the school system, I didn't think it would be okay to take off work. I also knew that I didn't want to take off Friday and go back Monday only to honeymoon at a later day. Now, I wish I had. What a magnificent season.

Originally, I was supposed to meet up with Marlene and her Flickr friend, Helen but that didn't work out so well. I drove around for 1.5-2 hours trying to find Pink Lake, where they were, with no luck. The only thing I can think that happened was that it was one f the 3 parks I drove by that were closed. The Parks people were flagging everyone by. I didn't look to see if maybe those were one of them .. I just kept on driving. All in all, I think it worked out for the better as Marlene had to leave earlier than expected and I wound up not feeling so well so I didn't do any trails. Desite that, as you can see above, I did manage to get some photos taken, thankfully. Meech lake was my favourite and all I could think while I drove around it was how lucky these people owned homes/cottages on such a perfect place. Definitely something I too would want.

Happy Thanksgiving!

When In Rome ....

Yes. It is true. I have decided to join the ranks of musical blogs. It is only recently that I am no longer scared out of my wits when I music suddenly appears and I scramble for the mute button trying to find the source. I still have a habit, though, of opening multiple blog windows at once (I tend to go to my blog and link to everyone's from there) which means I am bombarded with a variety of sounds creating an interesting musical mish mash. I still have many songs I want to add to my playlist but, for now, you are going to have to settle for about 50 songs from the 50's to now.

On a photography note - - - the bride and groom received an album filled with their photos and were thrilled with the results. Phew! Until the final product was approved of, it was hard to rest and relax about it all. I have some more photos I want to play with just for fun, still. Hopefully I can come up with some interesting looks. Now that I know they like them, I can honestly say I had fun with it all on the actual day ... despite my nerves. Thank you, Ronda & Lou for your easy going and relaxed demeanor .. it settled me more than you know. Congratulations again.

Congratulations Ronda & Lou

On Saturday, September 20th, I attended the wedding of Kevin's business partner, Lou. Months ago I found out who Lou was marrying - a woman by the name of Ronda. Ronda, it turns out, was a classmate of mine in grade 7 & 8 at Glashan. We hung with the same crowd and were in the same class in 7 but went to different friends and different classes for 8. Fast forward 20 years. We start talking creativity - which she has none, she says - and wedding plans. I planned all the decorations for the hall. They did all the decorating. It was beautiful. Thousands of white lights everywhere. Black toule. White toule. Thick tree branches painted white and strung with toule and lights. (A touch from my wedding/my Momma's idea 9 years ago). Not only was a the decorative planner, I wound up being the photographer as well. How nerve racking. I felt alot of pressure and alot of stress. What made it easier was that none of this was coming from the bride and groom. They had complete faith. I was putting the pressure on myself. Despite those feelings, it wound up being alot of fun. They were so easy going, happy and in love. What a great time. I didnt hit the nail on the head with every shot but I think I was able to get my point across and, hopefully, they will have memories to look back on forever.

So Very Proud

This is my entry for class two of Bad Girl's Top Designer. The goal was to use a minimum of two patterened papers. For me, this layout was all about simpliticity and letting the moment speak for itself. It was a reflection of a time and age - when life was so simple and sweet and wonderful and innocent. Because of it's simplicity, I doubt it will be the one to get me to round three but at least TD got me scrapping again. Let's hope it sticks! A total of 4 patterened papers were used - 2 of which were home made. I used a website template to create primary paper in which I attempted my very best school-worthy writing to journal with. The second home made pattern paper was also downloaded from the internet and printed on cardstock. I then had my nephew colour the animals and write his name. He was given two papers 'just in case' and wound up doing them both. I cut out the animals of the second paper (I even cut out where he went out of the lines) and used pop-up dots to add dimension to the page.

Back by Popular Demand

So the demand is only from two people but it is so. Rachel and Barb want me to blog again so blog again I shall.

Nothing much going on here. Been in a scrapping funk for a while. I just look and look and look and nothing comes to mind. Hopefully that has all changed now and the creativity will pour though my veins.

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Being that I am not the joiner of these things, I was threatened by Rachel (hmmm - that seems to be a trend, come to think of it! haha!) to join Bad Girls Top Designer Challenge. Thinking I had many hours left to create for my class, I found out that I actually only had a little over 3.5 hours. Because I was at Katies, I was at a loss. Of course, she was willing to open all of her supplies to me but I just wasn't feeling so I made the executive decision to go home. An hour later, I shut myself in my studio and began creating. Surprisingly, I did it. I created a 12x12 layout in an hour. A definate first for me. I have to admit that I felt like Katie looks when she creates. She just slaps it down and goes with it. I had to fight my natural instinct to plan but it paid off. I made it to Round 2 along with my 4 other talented Ya-Ya's. Congrats to us.