Unexpected Gifts

Don't we all love to get unexpected gifts? Sometimes they come in the mail,to your door,or some where that you least expect it.

Today I ventured down into the basement to see how my husband was doing with the removal of our old oil furnace. He had it all out,and what was left was an old cement foundation that was strangely shaped,in the middle of our floor.It was truly and eye sore,and an accident waiting to happen. I could see it being the cause of many trips and stubbed toes. I asked him if he was going to take it out,and he replied that it was solid cement and there to stay................and then out of the corner of my eye was my gift.Was it in a box tied with a bow?No it certainly wasn't,and if fact to anyone else it might not mean a thing,but to me it was priceless.There in the middle of cement some 33 yrs ago my father had put his name in cursive writing.I couldn't believe my eyes.His writing was clear and kinda fancy in my opinion.More of what you would expect from a women.My grandmother was a school teacher and had beautiful handwriting.Dad's looked a great deal like hers.I knew from that moment that what looked like an eye sore, would forever be in my basement,as I was only four years old when my father must of helped my grandfather install his furnace. I had to get right down and take a closer look at it.I took my index finger and went through ever letter,making strokes just like dad might of done.Somehow I felt as if I had been given a gift from Dad.As soon as everyone was out of the house I called my mom to tell her about my newest discovery, she cried as she too saw great meaning in this autograph.

This is why we scrapbook ladies,so that one day our loved ones will get an unexpected gift:)

I even took a picture of it.My Dad's real name was Quinton,but he went my his middle name Judson and then somehow that got shortened to Juddy.

See my unexpected gift.Isn't it great!Not everyone has one of these.

I'm still alive!

Did you think that I dropped off the blog scene all together? So many times I would have something I wanted to share and then life would get in the way and I wouldn't post it.With my memory loss if something gets in my way of posting and I don't write it down,it is forever lost in the depths of my brain.

Ever feel that you know someone just because you read their blog,look at their work etc.Well this is how I feel about this talented scrapping lady, Aleida Franklin.

I first noticed her name in a comment post on another blog that I read,and I was drawn to her name. I think I thought it was Aretha Franklin.......LOL.Anyway, I clicked on it and went to her blog and there I saw some amazing talent.I found out that she was on the Studio Calico DT and I so love their kits and designers work.

Today as I read some of my blogs I came to the realization that this lady whom I have never met,yet feel that I know somehow,passed away due to a motor vehicle accident.My heart goes out to her husband and children,other family members and friends.The scrapping world has truly lost an inspiring talented women.

Here is a link to her blog

http://ricanlaw.typepad.com/the_scrapping_rican/

TA DA!!!!!!!

Well look at this cool little award that was given to me from my friend Eva.Here are the rules for passing it on.

1. Only 5 people allowed.
2. 4 have to be dedicated followers of your blog
3. one has to be someone new or recently new to your blog and live in another part of the world.
4. you must link back to whoever gave you the award. quite simple really - it is a way of saying thank you to those who take time out for wonderful comments to boost your day.

I tag

Jolene
Cindy
Laura
Terri-Lynn
Chelsea

I See The Sun

Finally I see the sun,amidst a little fog.Our weather has been so miserable lately. I think I'm going to mold.Having said that, it is not an excuse for my husband to start the wood stove in August. I nearly died yesterday,and way into the night it was still smoking hot here.

As most of you know I was asked to be the August Guest Designer at Creatively Yours.Here is my layout for the latest sketch.


So tomorrow bright and early we are heading out for a bit of a vacation.It is that time of year when we have to take the kids school shopping.Not sure how relaxing that will be,but it has to be done.I am just hoping that the weather cooperates and that DH likes to shop,because mamma is on a mission:)

Creatively Yours Card

Well as some of you know, I was asked to be the August Guest Designer on Creatively Yours.This is a sketch blog created by Noella,a lady from right here in New Brunswick:)

When I read my assignment and saw that I had to make a card, I thought Dear Lord what will I do.I am not a card maker at all.I sat down one night with her great sketch,hauled out some paper,and found myself quickly pulling a card together. I loved the finished product and it was lots of fun.So much cheaper than buying them, and I have all the supplies right at my fingertips.I was not only inspired by the sketch,but given that little boost to start making more.Check out her site that I linked above under its name,and below is the card I created.

Yet Another Birthday In The Duncan Household

Well one birthday down,still another to go. It seems like all summer I am doing birthdays.Last but certainly not least was Evan's,yesterday.The holy terror turned 6.He was such a good baby,I was sick and he was content just to lay beside me in the bed whether he had just napped or not.If I was really sick,mom would watch him and bring him to me when he needed to be nursed and then take him again. My dad always said that a baby that was that good,was going to make you pay later.He was right! I love him dearly,but this little guy has a different type of personality from my other children and certainly has made me sit and shake my head a few times.He is always smiling,and like the saying goes.....when he's good he's very good,but when he's bad he's TERRIBLE!Thankfully I am one of those mothers who will admit that my child can be bad.I don't try to always blame it on someone else.

We love him dearly and he brings lots of energy and excitement to the household.

Here are a few snapshots from his birthday.It was kinda hard to take pictures with all the kids popping up.



We went with a Transformer theme and I got these great party hats in the States.

Here is Evan most pleased with his new Cars pencils for school.Shame the darn things won't sharpen in the pencil sharpeners there.

Now here he is opening the perfect gift.It is a shirt with an arrow pointing up to him that says......"Here's What Trouble Looks Like".My friend picked it up for him and it is totally suitable.He loves it!

August 1st.....Where is the summer going?

I seriously can't believe that the kids will be back in school in a month from now.Where did the summer go?I remember when I was younger and in school,summer seemed to go on and on.You couldn't wait to see your friends from school,because it seemed as though you had been apart in like forever.

So I heard today that I have been chosen as a guest designer for the sketch site Creatively Yours.
I am pretty excited about this and can't wait to get started!I am supposed to get more information tomorrow..........YIPPEE! I love a good sketch.

Not much else going on in my world.Dave and I have been wrinkling,and I am sore......not as sore as I was when I first started,but still sore.I am not as flexible as I thought or as quick on my feet on those slippery rocks,but someones gotta bring home the bacon.....lol.Don't tell Dave I said that!

Stay tuned for some scrappy goodness coming up soon:)