and we're off..........

well almost, to the happiest place on Earth!!!



We'll be staying here...

i have been waiting all my life it seems to get to go to Disney and now it's finally here, I hope the week doesn't go to quickly!!!!

Meet our new fur baby.....

Rocky the shih-poo, born July 20th.........

3rd from left

we can't wait to bring him home in early Sept.

HEEEELLLLOOOO.....

is there anyone still reading this BLOG of mine? :)

We are t minus 21 days til our long awaited Disney trip, we are on the waiting list for a new fur baby, (who will have some very big paws to fill after the loss of Daisy), we are hopefully getting a miniature schnauzer, due to be born the end of August.

Dan and I will be celebrating our 7th year anniversary in 16 more days. Where does the time go?

Tina and her lovely girls came for a visit last weekend, I am always saddened after a visit with her, to have such a great friend that lives so far away and I don't get to see nearly as often as I'd like. But my fingers are crossed for a big girls cross border shopping trip to Grove City in September.

I'm working lots, and lots, and lots, and not adjusting well to that, I work alot of 3- 11 pm shifts which makes it hard to see people I'd like to see, so I apologize to those that would like together, its so hard to take my days off away from my kids as I see them so little. Life would be so much easier on the same shift as everyone I hold near and dear.
I really like the job, I just can't wait to start getting in some day shifts more often, especially once the girls head back to school, as Victoria will also be full days this year in Grade 1.

On the scrapbooking front I have a card being published in the Fall issue of Scrapbook and Cards today, I haven't submitted in ages so I was thrilled by that.
Anyhoo, that's summer life in a nutshell so far...

If you're still reading please leave me a comment to let me know :)

Attn scrapbookers!

want to win a cool scrapbooking product, check out my friend Jennifer's blog to win some cool Scribblz Art, they are awesome!!!

Not much new to tell, Nick has settled in to his adoptive home, thank you Lord for helping with that one!!!

counting down the days til Disney and the end of school, need to have a crop soon ladies!!! hint hint :)

Long time no post

life has certainly been a changin in our house these last few weeks, with me working full time, and our foster son Nicolas getting prepared to move on June 2nd. He has lived with us for almost 3 years and is being adopted into a wonderufl family. We coudln't be happier for him.

We are adjusting to life without our doggie, and are hoping to add another one to our family after our trip to Disney in August.

I haven't sat down to scrapbook in weeks and I miss it, I went to a scrapbooking retreat over the first weekend of May and that was the most crafting I've been able to do in some time, it was a great weekend and hope to attend next year as well.

Here are a couple layouts from that weekend. TTYS I've got some more packing to do for Nick.

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You.Can.Only.Type.One.Word. from Tina's Blog
Where is your cell phone? charging
Your significant other? hon
Your hair? wedged
Your mother? friend
Your father? funny
Your favorite thing? camera
Your dream last night? forgotten
Your favorite drink? pinacolada
Your dream/goal? happiness
The room you’re in? scraproom
Your ex? UGH!
Your fear? death
Where do you want to be in 6 years? secure
Where were you last night? bed
What you’re not? strong
Muffins? corn meal
One of your wish list items? Mac
Where you grew up? Niagara Falls
The last thing you did? eat
What are you wearing? jeans
Your TV? Off
Your pets? guniea pigs
Your computer? annoying
Your life? Full
Your mood? happy
Missing someone? Yes
Your car? Caliber
Something you’re not wearing? necklace
Favorite store? Winners
Your summer? cool
Like someone? yes
Your favorite color? pink
When is the last time you laughed? dinner
Last time you cried? yesterday

Who will repost this? You

A good bye to a dear friend...........

my heart is broken.......

the house is already too quiet......

it's hard to believe it...

and we will never forget you Daisie Mae

RIP our sweet friend April 12, 2001 - March 21, 2008

A new job.........

well after returning to the work force after a 5 years hiatus to stay home with my little ones, what I hoped would be 25 hours a week at least has turned into 8 or less, which didn't make sense to me, so I began a search for a new position somewhere else, and I got it.......

I will be starting full time at White Oaks Resort and Spa this Thursday morning, it's a bit of a commute for me (about 35 min) but the company is rated #2 out of the 50 top Canadian employers so I'm excited to be joining them. They also offer great perks to their team members including a membership to the gym for me(immediately) and for my hubby after my 3 months probation period is up, benefits after 6 months with them, they have on site daycare should i need it in the summer, you get a one night stay with breakfast for 2 in the Liv restaurant on the anniversary of your date of hire each year, and some other small but fabulous things, I'm so excited about this!!!

On the scrapping front not much is new, I will be stepping down from Scrapbook Star's DT as of April, which saddens me, but at least the pressure to create will be off and I can scrap for myself again.

Happy Spring this week too!!! Finally I am so very sick of all the snow we've had this year!

some fun things to share.....

I got some awesome new stamps from a company called Stamping Bella and I made a card for my dear friend Tina who I'm going to visit this weekend and I can't wait!! It's also inspired by the card sketch at the Card Positioning Systems Blog this week for #52
I also got some awesome personalized stamps from a fantastic seller on EBAY, it took about a month to get them from Malaysia but they were well worth the wait!!!

Michael Buble - Lost NEW VIDEO!!

If you ever feel lost.

Selling some scrappy/stampin goodness

if you're interested check it out here and send me an email at kimcollee@cogeco.ca

Happy New Year.........

I know I'm a few weeks late with this post and greeting but sometimes life and reality just get in the way.

I hope you had a good one, it was quiet here, nice, we did the usual watch movie and munch marathon.

Happy Holidays.......

well I hope Santa was as good to everyone as he was to our household, the kids are thrilled with their new goodies and I am enjoying my new Computer monitor and all in one printer, the scanner makes scrapbooking life so much easier :)

Have you made any resolutions for 2008? I am full of good intention but I would really love to make a huge effort to lose those last 20 pounds, I started off good last year and lost gusto after awhile. I plan to make it stick this year and get the kids involved too, going for walks and things like that!

Here are some pics from Christmas morning, see you next year!

Happy 12th birthday......

to my eldest baby girl

Happy 5th birthday.........

to my baby girl, I honestly can't believe how fast time flies.

A place to call my own.......

it's still under minor construction, hanging trim and getting a new wiring system under the table but it's usuable and it's mine, I've been waiting 4 years for our basement to be finished so I could have this space, I have scrapped off my night table and glass mat for way too long, but when Dan bought his motorcycle this past summer I put my foot down that this room be done for Xmas. The rec room is coming along nicely and I will post pics of that down the road when all the furniture is down here from upstairs.

Be on the look out for some long overdue layouts very soon, I haven't scrapped anything other than commitments to Scrapbook Star and Valerie Salmon's Got Sketch blog, and I've missed doing it.

Scrapbooking Xmas stock up sale....

Scrapbook Star is having their last sale of the year this weekend Nov. 23-25th, here are the details
"We're having another super sale this weekend. In fact our last until Boxing Day Saturday and Sunday 30% off Regular Priced Items an additional 60% off already reduced items "

Scrapbook Star, Star Search 2007....

FAbulous prizes and tonnes of fun await you at Scrapbook Star........

We are currently looking for a guest DT member for the month of February The deadline to apply is November 28th. We will then narrow it down to 8 contestants, who will do weekly challenges, 2 contestants will be eliminated each week. At the end of the 4 weeks one contestant will be left standing and will win the position for Guest DT member for February. The winner will receive a prize pack including a CUTTLEBUG as well a monthly kit, and a 50$ store gift certificate. The runner-up wont go away empty handed either, they will also receive a prize pack! We would also love the applicants to be active members of our message board and gallery, as this will be part of your DT duties. Please send your entry to dtcontest@scrapbookstar.ca – a maximum of 3 pages or projects please. Please make sure your name is in your file name to easily identify your work ex: janedoe_page1.jpg Applicants from all countries are welcome. Please submit your entries by November 28th, 2007 The 8 Finalists will be contacted by December 1st, and the Contest will begin December 3rd. The Star Search winner will be announced December 31st!

Fall is here...

and before I know it Xmas will be here and the snow will be falling, I can't believe that tommorrow marks the beginning of November. where has 2007 gone?


anyway some pics taken of us last weekend and for Halloween today...

Changes........

well as some of you may know I am no longer JUST A SAHM ;), I have headed back to work part time, with the Bulk Barn, and after 6 days of training was promoted to supervisor, which I was quite proud of. I'm really enjoying working again, I didn't realize how much I have missed talking to adults other than family.

I had 2 publications come out this month, in Scrapbook and Cards Today's fall issue and Memory Makers Oct issue, which brings me up to 4 publications this year, 3 more than I had hoped for!! and on the Memory Makers one, it has 2 cover choices and my LO can be seen on one of them, it's small, but it's there!!! so cool.......

The kids are adjusted to school and Marissa just completed her babysitting course on the weekend so she is certified and ready to work, and has been doing a wonderful job for me here for the hour after school until Dan or I get home from work!

My photography is taking off as well, I had 2 clients this month which was wonderful, if you haven't checked it out yet you can see my work here

I hope all is well in your world :)

My baby is in Senior Kindergarten,,,,,,,

times flies much to quickly, it just isn't fair

Happy Anniversary (on the 18th)

we've been married for 6 years tommorrow and this summer has seen us going through some tough times, but we're talking and loving through it and I know things will be okay, I love you more today than I did the day we wed, you will always be my best friend and partner in life....

New family members......

meet Snuggles (white and cream) and Zoe(calico) they are just babies and are so very sweet!!

I've been tagged........

My Name is Kim
:1. Famous singer/band: Kiss
2. four letter word: Kite
3. Street: Keith St
.4. Colour: Krave a lipgloss i owned once
5. Gifts/presents: kitten
6. Vehicle: Kia Rio
7. Things in a sovenir shop: Kites
8. Boy Name: Kevin
9. Girl Name: Katie
10. Movie Title: Kill Bill
11. Drink: Koolaid
12. Occupation: kissing booth operator
13. Celebrity: Katie Holmes
14. Magazine: Kids weekly
15. U.S. City: Kansas City
16. Pro Sports Teams: Kansas City Cheifs
17. Fruit: kiwi
18. Reason for Being Late for Work: kite stuck in a tree
19. Something You Throw Away: kleenex
20. Things You Shout: " kiss me baby"
21. Cartoon Character: Katie and Orbie
Here are the rules: The game is SCATERGORIES....* Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the questions.* They MUST be real places, names, things ... NOTHING made up!* If you can't think of anything, skip it.* You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question.* If your name happens to start with the same letter as mine, sorry, but you can't use my answers!

An auntie again........

my newest niece, Madelyn Maria Costantina, arrived on Sunday July 29th at 4:12pm weighing in at 10lbs and 80zs and measuring 18" long We are quite smitten with her to say the least, can't wait to do her official photo shoot in a week or so congrats Bonnie and Lou and Abbygale!!!

Are you Canadian? and want to be on an amazing Scrapbook DT?

then look no further.......... you can follow the link to Scrapbook Star on the right to check out the site!!

Design Team Call
Scrapbook Star is looking for 3 new design team members. If you consider yourself to be creative, team oriented and love our site and store please send the following to dtcontest@scrapbookstar.ca
3-5 recent projects that best represent your usual style
Please make sure your name is in the file title such as "janesmithbelieve.jpg"
Please keep files to under 100kb in size
Please include the following: *Full name, address & phone number * Other Design Teams you are a member of * A link to your online gallery or blog * Why you would like to be part of the team **Design Team members receive a monthly kit and allowance, as well as store discounts and free shipping of your orders when they are combined with your Design Team Kit shipment. **Members are on six month contracts - running October 2007 - March 2008 (Your first kit will arrive beginning of September - your first project will be due October 1st) after which one or both parties can chose to either terminate or extend the contract.
**Design Team members cannot be part of any other Canadian design team (for retail & online stores and communities). **
Members are asked to complete 2 pages a month with their kit, one for the first of the month, and one for our online crop - along with a challenge for each. The pages must be scanned at high resolution and emailed for store display purposes. These two pages must stay exclusive to Scrapbook Star for one month.
We also ask that once a week you post a "mini" challenge (see our Daily Inspirations forum) **We also ask that you be active in our gallery and message boards, posting minimum 50 posts a week, and one project to our gallery weekly to keep it inspirational for our members. **Deadline to Apply is August 15th 2007, midnight eastern time - announcement will be made by August 22nd, 2007

Boys and their toys.........

hubby got himself a new toy, he's having his midlife crisis alittle early I think, he's only 33 :) but he's happy, now to hope that he doesn't get hurt on it

Love is.....

Love is like a gentle breezethat cascades through your entire being,filling every fiber with emotion so deepyour heart grows wings.- Kristalee Berry -

Another proud mommy/photographer moment

I entered another picture of Victoria in the Facebook Photogenic Kiddo's contest and out of 1000 photos she got another win, I also took this picture so it's great recognition for that too, anyway :) have a great weekend!!!

2 more sleeps!!!!

until I hit the Creating Keepsakes Convention with the girls!!! I have been looking forward to this day for months, especially seeing Tina, the Internet is great for keeping in touch but nothing compares to the real thing!!

On the home front things are good, the kids are anxious for school to end and the grandparent's pools to be open for business, they are all fish and spend the day in the pool for the better part of the summer.

In scrap booking my first published page came out this month in the Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine, can you say thrilled, I don't know who was more excited Tori or me :)

Fergie - Big Girls Don't Cry

I'm loving this song right now

Out of over 1000....

pictures my baby Victoria was chosen as a winner in the best eyes category on Facebook, in the group ~Facebooks photogenic Kiddos contest~ I'm so proud as I took this photo myself and the competition was fierce, here is the posting :)

congrats also to my friend Patti whose daughter Brianna was crowned a Queen! WTG Patticakes

So thrilled.........

Memory Makers Magazine picked up one of my layouts for their Idea Gallery Issue, it will be my 3rd publication but my first with this magazine, I have to get it ready and in the mail by tommorrow, it has to be there within the week, I hope it gets there in time!!!

Happy National Scrapbooking Day!!!!!!!!!

in honour of this celelbration among scrapbookers, Scrapbook Star is having a weekend long sale, save 25% off of your order, and yes you can shop online!!! Have a great NSD!!!

I've been MIA lately

due to the new man in my life, he is full of beans and energy, and has completely tied me down. I haven't touched my paper and glue in weeks, and i miss it.

this week Marissa is in her school talent show and is in 3 acts of it, I love watching her perform in school functions she is really good, although i may be a little biased.

Nothing much has changed around here, our fence is finally getting replaced after the freak October '06 storm what a difference that will make to the yard, our taxes are done and paid, it was our first year self employed and we were pleased that we didn't have to pay nearly as much as we had thought and had saved for, so we bought a few things for the house.

Anyway, looking forward to Sunday for a big girls day out, heading to Mississauga with my pals Janice and Holly, TTYS!

Sometimes I

forget that.......

"The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more; that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds .... That's what you've given me and that's what I hope to give to you forever." Walt Witman

Have you tried Facebook.com?

my friend Tina sent me a link a few weeks back that she had added me to her Facebook, being busy with our new foster son, i didn't pay much attention to what it was all about, but the other night Dan was out and the kids were in bed, i started playing around on it, and i found a bunch of friends i had i elementary and high school, so cool!! i have been chatting with them here and there this weekend and it's been great, i feel like I've gotten a little piece of my childhood back, i think you havne't checked it out you should, it's neat to see who you can find from the past!!!

Tagged by Holly A.......

Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their seven things, as well as these rules. At the end of your blog, you need to choose 7 people to get tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them that they have been tagged and to read your blog! OK, here goes:

1.I have only been on an airplane once in my life
2. I have been to Graceland inside and out of it.
3. I have also done a lap of the Indy 500 racetrack(it was in a tour bus, but I've done it just the same)
4. My favorite car in the whole world is a '63 split window Corvette
5. I went to college for Human Resources, graduated, and have never worked in the field
6. I was asked to go to Jamaica for a wedding in August and don't know if I will go
7. I love being a SAHM, it's the best job, the hours suck but the pay is priceless.

I am tagging, Vicki B , Carolyn Peeler , Heather V , Tina W , and 3 people who lurk on my BLOG, post so I know who you are :)

Easter silliness for ya......

Hope you had a giggle, have a great weekend!

Little Nick...

is doing wonderfully!!! He is a smiley happy sweetie pie, and he is sick too with a runny nose, we are fighting over the kleenex box but other than that, things are AWESOME!! thanks for all the get well wishes, that made me feel even better!!!

I got my Silhouette up and running and called Janice with excitement on how friggin awesome it is!!! and while we were talking my dh came in and asked if it needed special paper to use, and I told him yes it does, and Janice and I LOBO!!!! I would recommend this tool to anyone, I love that I can use the bazzillion and one fonts I already have on my computer!!! TTYS!

me today

SICK SICK SICK, I have a horrible cold, I feel yucky!!!

on the plus side, my Silhouette and my new foster son both will be arriving tommorrow, I hope I feel better than I do today, fingers crossed.

Portfolio building....

Another neice!!!!

my sister had her ultrasound the other day and it's another girl, that makes 2 girls for me, 2 for her and my brother has 2 boys, i wonder if it's coincedence? Anyway, I'm thrilled, it will be the last baby born between the 3 of us, we are all done, according to our spouses anyway, with 2 children.

I can't wait to share the layouts I have done with my first Scrapbook Star kit, it was my fav PP line too so that was a bonus, I can reveal them on the first so check out the site, and my DT bio and pic should be up on that day too, can't wait to see!!!


Have a Happy St. Paddy's day too!!!

My DH rocks!!!!

he totally surprised me the other day with letting me order this baby!!! I thought I would be saving my allowance forever!!! it should be here in about 12 days, and oh yeah i am counting them!!!

On the homefront we are expecting a baby, not in the traditional sense where I am pregnant, as much as I would love that.... an almost 2 year old boy is coming to us through FACS, we have been with just one foster son since our dear Zack left us to go back home in November. I am looking forward to meeting this new little man. As sad as it is when they move on or go home in their lives, it's so great knowing them while they are in your life.

What a FANTASTIC week!!!

first I made the Scrapbook Star design team, then today I open my email and Canadian Scrapbooker magazie wants one of my layouts for their summer issue!!! I am so excited, it's my first time in this magazine!!! thanks for letting me share!!

In my excitement I forgot...

to mention that the Close to my Heart Stampaganza starts today, when you buy 2 stamp sets your 3rd is FREE!!!! it's a great time to add to your stamp collection!! see the details here

WAHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was asked this morning to be on the Scrapbook Star design team!!! They are a great store and chat board out of Montreal, Quebec, and no you don't have to speak French on their chat boards :) come by and check it out!!!

And as promised here are 2 of the 3 projects I did at Divine Design last weekend, the layout I am still waiting for the perfect pics for....

Canvas taught by Vicki Boutin, Bloom Bouquet taught by Judi Van Valkinburgh