Pretty Crafty

CHA,CHA,CHA

Well, we got home from the CHA Trade Show on Wednesday night. Felt like we weren't going to make it home there for a few minutes. We experienced some really bad turbulence flying to Salt Lake City from Orlando--imagine a rocky roller coaster. Dee and I were clutching each other and screaming--well Dee was screaming and I was repeating words over and over. Yup, not a pretty picture and we weren't the only ones screaming either. But we arrived in Vancouver safe and sound, maybe with an extra grey hair or two.

 

CHA was great and a lot smaller than usual. This was my first Show and I was quite pleased with the small crowds. So many great product lines and goodies to bring into the Store. Learned a bit about the business side of things and got some great ideas for the Store. So all in all, it was a success.

We were lucky enough to spend an evening with the Gang from KaiserCraft. What a fun bunch of Aussies--we really need to take a field trip to their neck of the woods. Who knew Olive Garden could be so much fun? I don't think our waiter will ever be the same.

The weather in Florida was stinkin' hot and HUMID. Usually I can tolerate humidity quite nicely, but maybe it is old age setting in and I just can't take it anymore. The running joke of the trip were my feet--I called them cankles (you get the picture) and my legs/feet were disgustingly swollen. Thank goodness the next Show is in Anaheim. We thought we were going to get a relief from the heat when we got home, but think again. We are setting temp. records and have been hotter than we have ever been. 38 celsius to 41 celsius--yuck!

So now back to reality and all that that means. Cannot believe one month til school starts, the kids are actually looking forward to it. To tell the truth so is Mom, I miss the routine.

See you later and stay cool.

Heading Spinning Busy

Hey that kind of sounds like a name for a Band? Just so much going on and so much to do lately. Sometimes if I feel like if I stop moving I will fall over.

Both of my parents are having Chemo now and I marvel at the amount of people doing the same thing.The treatment is at the Lionsgate Hospital and they are busy.This disease truly does not discriminate--young, old, many nationalities and all have Cancer.It is a very depressing place and then you feel thankful that these treatments offer a chance for hope. That is all anyone can ask for.

The preparations for the new Store are moving along very smoothly--knock wood. We are moving closer to sorting out our flooring situation and the painting is done.Now we just need to install the flooring,complete the plumbing and do a bit more painting,etc.Then it will be fixture prep time and all the crazy packing and moving.

 

So I needed a new cellphone/service plan and this is what we brought home.I must say for a non-techie person, I love my new iPhone.It is just so great to use and we are still in the honeymoon phase.Love being able to do pretty much everything with one thing.It takes pretty good pictures too.

In the wee hours of the morning we are headed to Orlando for CHA.This is a large (maybe not this year?) Craft and Hobby Trade Show and we are off to buy product for the Store.I have never been and I am hoping this will be a fun and informative experience--I am sure it will.I will be traveling with one of my Business Partners and Sis-in-law Deanna. We will see what kind of trouble we can get into.

So with so much left to do--clean the house, pack, purchase a foundation undergarment,etc,etc why am I blogging? Procrastination, thy name is Stacey.

I will do my best to use my fancy schmancy new phone to load some photos from the road on this Blog.See you later!

Note to Bloggers...

If you want to create an uproar in the comments section, discuss animal rights:) Thank you to those that left comments regarding my last post.

A couple of things I would like to mention regarding animal rights (in my opinion). I am not a vegetarian and don't expect everyone to be. In all honesty, I love a good steak as much as the next Steak lover. Do I hope the cows I am eating were humanely escorted to my plate--you bet. Do I think that we need to eat dogs? For the average person, I would say no. I am educated enough to know that there are parts of the world that do eat dog. Heck, there are parts of the world that eat much more than that. That happens for various reasons, economic situations, culture,etc,etc. I am not one to pass judgment. Does it bother me on occasion that I am eating a cute little bovine--yes it does. But that is just me and I don't ever propose that anyone else give up their meat eating freedom. Another reason I don't enjoy meat as often as I used to. Can we say hormones and other medications? Besides that, it doesn't always agree with my digestive system, know what I'm saying? Do I think that God has anything to do with whether I eat meat or not? Nope. I think as human beings have evolved so did their diets. I think it is small minded to think that everything in this world came about for our use. Sorry, I cannot subscribe to that course of thought. I am not a subscriber to the whole God-factor, but that is another discussion for another day.

Do I think people should have pets? Sure, my lovely little feline Cuddles feels the same way too. Do I think those that abuse animals should be punished and punished good--you bet. Since animals are living creatures they do deserve respect. Am I concerned about the local zoo in my area--you bet. When animals deaths are suspect, then I think it is society's job to investigate. Do I think all of the pets and zoo dwellers should be set free? Nope. The poor wild animals being displaced by the latest subdivision do not need the competition for food and shelter.

Am I naive enough to think that PETA does not have an agenda all it's own? No I am not. Every organization has an agenda, that is why they organized in the first place. To further that agenda and gain support from the public or their target audience. Do I think that the PETA agenda is extreme--you bet. But it sure prompt's a discussion doesn't it?

Do I think that people need to wear fur? No I don't. I think there are some spectacular synthetic materials out there and we don't need to wear an animals fur, skin,etc. But again, that is just me. Do i go around flinging blood on those fur coats--no I don't. Again freedom of choice and freedom of thought allows me to think this way.

I did not share the link of the video I watched. Perhaps, the video was doctored and edited to the nth degree. Can we say that all of the issues brought forth by PETA are to be dismissed? No, i don't believe we can. That would be ignorant of us all. Is there abuse of animals during the course of processing certain products? I think we would be burying our head in the sand, if we denied this possibility.

Well enough animal rights discussion for now. I must stop typing and fix my family some dinner. Will it be a vegan affair? Probably not.

Sheer Horror

I just finished watching the most brutal and horrific video illustrating an instance of animal cruelty. I received a forwarded chain email from a co-worker. Inside the email, was a link provided by PETA. In High school, I wrote a paper on animal cruelty and for quite a time after gave vegetarianism a try. But this video has shocked and saddened me. Part of me hopes it is a set-up and something that an organization created to get support. Another part of me knows it is probably something that happens  in certain parts of the world.

You might be asking yourself why would you watch the video? I don't know, I am one of those people that if they are told not to look, feel that much more compelled to look. A problem with authority perhaps?

The video showcases an animal fur farm in China. On this farm animals are separated from their skin/fur while still alive. According to the clip it is because it results in a more perfect cut. I have never been a person that has owned a fur coat and never will. I only wish each and every person that buys fur would be made to watch this video.

I sense another stint of vegetarianism coming on. Yes, it was that grotesque:(

Stepping off soap box now.

P.S Someone left this link in the comments http://animalwelfarecruelty.pbworks.com/ Another side to the story perhaps? As usual, nothing is ever black and white.

Hello There! Randomness warning...

Not much going on in this neck of the woods. Went out with a small assortment of Clipper Chicks last night. Went to see "he's just not that into you" at the Movie Theater. It was still entertaining the second time around but that's it for me. It won't make the scrapbooking movie rotation but hey not every movie is worthy.

If you are in Canada or BC and are following the news, you know that we are having a wee bit of a gang-related violence problem. Just enough to make us the Gang violence capital of Canada--or so I read. I have to say it is surreal. I have never lived in an area with this problem before. It seems everywhere you go people are discussing a shooting, a fight or some other incident. This past week, there was a false alarm at our local Walmart. No shots were fired, but a Hells Angel member was arrested. Like I said surreal. Let's hope the Police can get a handle on this situation before innocent lives are lost.

Feeling rather restless this fine Sunday. Kind of wishing I was heading on an adventure of some kind? Hmmm, maybe one day soon? A girl can hope...

At the movie I ate a few pieces of Bridge Mixture---what is that stuff? I know it is some sort of chocolate covered candy but what is the chocolate covering? Blech.

Woke up today to more snow. I could rant and spew forth expletives but I will not. I have decided I am going to take a zen approach from now on. Maybe the weather is like a petulant child, if I ignore it it will go away?

Watched the new Apprentice last night with the hubby. Wow, they are scraping the bottom of the barrel this season. A model from Deal or No Deal? Really? Is that the best you can do? Then there are the Rivers (Joan and Melissa) and a Poker Player. Hmmm, I say the Casting Dept. had a tough time this round. However, Joan Rivers appearance does serve as a bit of a service to the public---just say NO to plastic surgery. I think this should be the shows last season, it has grown a bit tired.

The housework is beckoning and unfortunately will not complete itself. Hope you have a great day.

hey there february

Well wouldn't you know it, February has arrived and the snow is gone (well almost). I must say I am excited to see the start of a new month. Truly, not much seemed to happen in December/january but snow, snow, wind, vomit, snow, Christmas, a New Year and more snow. Hey, it can only be uphill from here.

I have kind of neglected this poor ol' blog. The past couple of weeks seem to have passed in a haze. Looking back, I kind of felt like a spinning top. Lots of spinning but not really getting anywhere. I am getting myself organized and hoping the spinning is over.

Two more sleeps and we will be boarding a plane to Florida. I must admit, I am quite excited at the prospect of getting out of here. Would love to see some sun. You know, the glowing orb in the sky? I am also looking forward to seeing some new sights and just hanging with the family. I feel like I haven't spent much quality time with the kids lately. I am giddy at the prospect of having nothing to do but spend time with them.

You must be wondering how the weight loss adventure is going? I know I am, hee hee. I have lost 3-4 pounds. Not quite the poundage lost I was looking for, but hey it's ok. I am going to make a real effort to get lots of exercise in while we are on the ship. I know a lot of time will be spent in the pool with the kids and that can't hurt.

At my son's school the teachers hand out golden tickets to students that go above and beyond,etc. So in Kindergarten the kids get one if they have been exceptionally good or have worked really hard. This started before Christmas and Evan wanted one so badly. Well, yesterday the little guy brought one home. I was so excited for him. He was so proud of himself. It made me so proud that he worked hard and was rewarded. I sure love that little guy.

   

Don't forget Valentine's Day is approaching. I must say we don't celebrate Valentine's Day in a big way. I always feel like it is another one of those "holidays" that always lead to someone feeling let down. Kind of like New Year's Eve--you always think you will have a better time than you actually do. Must say, you can never go wrong with a cupcake. I think cupcakes could solve a lot of the world's problems;)

Well, I need to get some shut eye. I hope this week is a good one. I will try and post from the road or sea:)

11/11/08

Why Remember?

We must remember. If we do not, the sacrifice of those one hundred thousand Canadian lives will be meaningless. They died for us, for their homes and families and friends, for a collection of traditions they cherished and a future they believed in; they died for Canada. The meaning of their sacrifice rests with our collective national consciousness; our future is their monument.¹

A Canadian soldier kneels at grave of fallen comrade in the United Nations Cemetery, Korea, April 1951. (National Archives of Canada PA 128813)

These wars touched the lives of Canadians of all ages, all races, all social classes. Fathers, sons, daughters, sweethearts: they were killed in action, they were wounded, and thousands who returned were forced to live the rest of their lives with the physical and mental scars of war. The people who stayed in Canada also served - in factories, in voluntary service organizations, wherever they were needed.

Yet for many of us, war is a phenomenon seen through the lens of a television camera or a journalist's account of fighting in distant parts of the world. Our closest physical and emotional experience may be the discovery of wartime memorabilia in a family attic. But even items such as photographs, uniform badges, medals, and diaries can seem vague and unconnected to the life of their owner. For those of us born during peacetime, all wars seem far removed from our daily lives.

We often take for granted our Canadian values and institutions, our freedom to participate in cultural and political events, and our right to live under a government of our choice. The Canadians who went off to war in distant lands went in the belief that the values and beliefs enjoyed by Canadians were being threatened. They truly believed that "Without freedom there can be no ensuring peace and without peace no enduring freedom."²

By remembering their service and their sacrifice, we recognize the tradition of freedom these men and women fought to preserve. They believed that their actions in the present would make a significant difference for the future, but it is up to us to ensure that their dream of peace is realized. On Remembrance Day, we acknowledge the courage and sacrifice of those who served their country and acknowledge our responsibility to work for the peace they fought hard to achieve.

                                                            

Canadians departing for active service in Europe during the Second World War, 1940. (National Archives of Canada C-38723)

During times of war, individual acts of heroism occur frequently; only a few are ever recorded and receive official recognition. By remembering all who have served, we recognize their willingly-endured hardships and fears, taken upon themselves so that we could live in peace.

These photos and the text were borrowed from here.

                                                                                  

Inevitable

 

We were watching a U.S News Broadcast and there was a story coming up about Osama Bin Laden. The newscaster had just finished a story about Bush and Obama meeting in the White House for the first time since the Election. So what did the newscaster do, he said Obama instead of Osama when setting up the Bin Laden story. Talk about a big oopsy:)

This will definitely be an interesting year in U.S Politics. I hope the country receives the change they have been promised and have been looking for.

Painting.

Why did I ever think I could paint the house? After seeing professional painters in action I will never pick up a brush again. The Pros are quick, clean and do a great job. Thankfully I think the colours look great and the Husband thinks they are ok too. The painting will be done today and we can get on with the decorating part. Finally:)