Sunday, July 30, 2006

A Birthday Party

At last Colin is at an age where he can appreciate his birthday partym the big 3 ! Long anticipated and finally the day had come, he loved the decoration, cards (especially the one with a real balloon), presents, guests, money, gift certificates, cake, candy everything, yes uncle Casper even the koala bear (1 day beforehand Colin thought up big purple koala bear that het just had to have, on such short notice he could only find a small but oh so cute one ) ! Thanks everyone, let's hope his real birthday at the creche is also a great day !


Some things he said today :

Ooh wat leuk dankjewel (bij een kaart !) Aaah how neat thank you (with a card) !
Ik wilde een grote koalabeer (niks over de kleur …) ! I wanted a big Koala bear (he said nothing about the color) !
Ooooh nog een van die (bij de kid Knex) ! Aaaah another one like the others (with the kid Knex) !
Wat zou daar nou in zitten (nadat michael het 2 keer had gezegd bij een kadootje uitpakken) ? I wonder what's in there (after michael said it twice with other gifts) ?
Mag ik nog een snoepje mamma ? Can I have another sweet !
Ik wil een grote tros druiven ! I want a big bunch of grapes !
Nog meer visite ! More guests !
Hebben jullie ook een kadootje voor mij ? Do you have a present for me ?

Saturday, July 29, 2006

the sky's the limit



Love is not a thing to understand.
Love is not a thing to feel.
Love is not a thing to give and receive.
Love is a thing only to become and eternally be.
--Sri Chinmoy



Thursday, July 27, 2006

Good news, Bad news & other news

Ok so this was a week filled with, good news, bad news and other news.

Revlie has decided to leave my design team to go on to bigger and better things, which is a shame as she just joined but hey that's life you win some you lose some... But we will keep in touch and we will see each other again in November.

But then again for every bad bit of news there’s always some good news. Angelique has finally started her own weblog (I thing I nagged her so much she caved in I think …teehee) and my friends operation was this week and sofar went really well so we are happy about that !

On another note I desperately need truckloads of choc chip cookies with my herbal tea and I want it now (ok so you all know the score I need not say more ….) but I have some really cool books to go with that :



Colin’s b’day is coming up and we thought up some really cool invites for the party this weekend ( I think you get the theme ?) :

Although the cake will not be in that theme as Colin decided he wanted a chocolate Jip & Janneke Cake and we roped grandpa Jan in for that one as he said it wouldn’t be hard at all to find a chocolate cake like that (little did he KNOW haha <= insert evil laughter here …..one week before C’s birthday I reminded grandpa Jan and 5 bakery’s later … he found one that will do it .... hahaha) Yep the HEMA only makes regular J&J cakes and don’t ask me why C decided to interfear with the Dora theme but there was no stopping this little M&M …

This is Jip & Janneke :



Really cute and they do very naughty things, we have cd's with their stories in the car, sometimes I think C's too inspired by them ...

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Prettiest things I've ever seen

Yesterday I on my way to the carpark at work I spotted the prettiest little butterflies I had ever seen. I only had my small camera with me but I had to try and shoot them. Photo's weren't too bad but I thought I'd bring my big one today to try and get some better ones. And you kow what my little kodak EasyShare C340 took better ones than my Olympus C-750 .... Go figure ... Maybe it's because I was snapping away yesterday with the screen and today I tried to take pretty ones and was too focussed on that. Anyhoo I'm quite happy with the good ones I took ! Have you ever seen such pretty little lilac butterflies ?









Saturday, July 22, 2006

A fun day

Ingredients:

Lunch
(Scrap)friends
Cropping a couple of hours
chit chat
Ideas flowing

We had our design team lunch this afternoon. We start with a little lunch and then cropping for a few hours, always great fun although we don't get a lot of scrapping done but hey we have all kinds of ideas we exchange and new ideas flow. Great such a lovely inspiring circle of people I have around me, thanks girls I'm looking forward to the next one.

This is the lo that I finally finished Yaeh ! I've had this laying around for ages trying to make this Ali Edwards style, but hey you know what I just couldn't get it done, not me, not my style. So I made it more me and with some inspiration from the ladies this afternoon I finished the left side (which was the problem).



The journaling :

Michael you are such a beach babe !
You just love the beach, playing & rolling around in the sand and posing like a true babe.
You know that I love taking photo's of you because you're such a great poser and you like working the camera like a professional model. You're a scrapbooking mothers dream.

My second time

I've been tagged by Francine a few days ago and finally gave in ..... My answers are not as funny as hers but here goes;

1. Have you ever been searched by the cops?
No thank god.

2. Do you close your eyes on a roller coaster?
No, so then I can see when it's over ....

3. When's the last time you've been sledding?
February 2006 in Austria.

4. Would you rather sleep with someone else, or alone?
With someone else, preferably Ed !

5. Do you believe in ghosts?
Yes, but don't believe all the Char's and Jomanda's of this world.

6. Do you consider yourself creative?
Of course but never knew it growing up !

7.You think O.J. killed his wife?
Oh yes !

8. Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie? (silly, I know ... but very "now")
I like them both Jennifer is the girl next door and Angelina is the freaky cool babe.

9. Can you honestly say you know ANYTHING about politics?
No, although I did take social studies, but if it doesn't interest me .....

10. Do you know how to play poker?
No and I don't think I would be good at it I'm not a good bluffer.

11. Have you ever been awake for 48 hours straight?
Ehm yes several times.

12. What's your favorite commercial?
The Calve peanutbutter ones

13. Who was your first love?
Michel Benda (as in a reall live, living around the corner crush) and C. Thomas Howell (as in celebrity crush)

14. If you're driving in the middle of the night, and no one is around you, do you run a red light?
No, I'd be too scared to cause an accident.

15. Do you have a secret that no one knows but you?
Yep, a few small ones !

16. Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees?
NY Yankees cause I like the name better hihi don't be asking a dutch girl this.

17. Have you ever been Ice Skating?
Of course, I have Ice hockey skates !

18. How often do you remember your dreams?
Too often, my dreams can be really freaky and sometimes scary.

19. What's the one thing on your mind?
The time and scrapbooking......

20. Do you always wear your seat belt?
Always, no exception.

21. What talent do you wish you had?
A good singing voice

22. Do you like Sushi?
No, I'm a picky fish eater.

23. What do you wear to bed?
Silk

24. Do you truly hate anyone?
Not truly hate, but I really dislike a number of people.

25. If you could sleep with one famous person, who would it be?
Jon Bon Jovi

26. Do you know anyone in jail?
No.

27. What food do you find disgusting?
Raw fish

28. Have you ever made fun of your friends behind their back?
Ehm a few times in the past, but have changed my ways (older, wiser ...)!

29. Have you ever been punched in the face?
By accident by the M&M's.

30. Do you believe in angels and demons?
Yes absolutely.


Sooooooo do you think you know me better now ?

I'm tagging (cause I'm curious what answers they will give) :

Wendy
Elwira
Anita
Revlie

Letje

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Sweet vanilla pancakes

Doesn't this look yummie ?



Inspired yet again by Francine (her story about dinner at the IJsselmeer hihi I'm not a copycat honest Francine...) with cold pancakes & fruit I decided to make this for dinner this week. With some whipped cream it was great and you know what, we only had 2 little pancakes left over from all this ...



You wouldn't say so by Colin's face but they loved it, I guess we just took the picture at exactly the wrong moment ... or it was because we made him wait so we could take a picture hihi

I finally practiced a little cropping and playing with the colors (still have to figure out how to do this in photoshop though).






Saturday, July 15, 2006

Drumrolls, new project, spilling the beans & other tidbits (long one this time)

Let's start with the bad news, someone has hacked our site (of my scrapbook store ....) so it's off the air ... Can you believe it that ? DH is working hard with the providers to get it back online but I just can't believe there are people out there who whould do such a thing. Well we know as it says "F... you, Lamar" Well thx a lot yerk ! We're now trying a restore .....

Good news, drumrolls please ....... I finally found a winner for my the competition for a LO title, well actually 2 winners and I will explain why. I looked at all the possibilities :

JijThese are the days of miracle and wonderBeach BoyMr. Sandman tell me your dreamsBeach boyZandBoy Meets WorldA day at the beachWereldverkenner/ontdekkerOp ontdekkingsreisMost things in life are freeThe beauty of NatureHands are for grabbingAdventure TimeGreat AdventurebeachbabeLEKKER KOPPIEEERSTE DAGJE STRANDHEERLIJK DAT ZANDPreciousBeach boyColinIntensConcentratieFirst impressionWonderAmazePleasureMiracleYou are the MIRACLE of all creationHold out your hands to FEEL the luxury of the sunbeamsalways look on the bright side of lifeIt Came From Beneath The SandWhat is the secret of the sandMy hands touch the sand and discoverThe smile on your face is so beautiful as the sun on the beachTrue BlueBlauw …. Ik hou van jouzandmonstertjezand-tastischontdekkingstocht door het zandSchatten gevondenDe wonderen van het strandEerste zand stapjesColin ontdekt de wereld en begint bij het strandhey dudes....what's this?PUREenENJOYOns zandmannetjeMy PreciousA day of firstsBeach DudeMan Handling the SandMe&My Blue BandanaHot HeadA Life by the Ocean WavesCurious ColinColin's Coastal CapersThe sun on my back and sand in my handKnow what it is to be a childTo see a world in a grain of sandAnd a heaven in a wild flowerHold infinity in the palm of your handAnd eternity in an hour A beach isn't a beach without the sand...I'm not ME without youMy blue heaven




And what stood out was "Bandana" twice, and I decided to add Beautifull & boy to the equation, so the title will be Beautifull Bandana Boy. So thanks Anita & Angelique for the "voorzet". I will be making a Rak next week for you both !

Had a fabulous lunch to celebrate my friends birthday, at the Blooming
hotel in her new hometown Bergen and it was fabulous ! Thanks so much girls for the fun afternoon & Natascha of course for hosting this lunch !


(sorry I'm not a great photoshopper, so my collages are not as good as they could be, but I'm working on it !)
We bought a whole bunch of gifts and I made her this journal (thanks Francine for the inspiration, you rock !) that I fell in love with after I finished it hihi but hey it didn't have my name on it so I had to give it away. (btw michael loved it after I explained what it was and he wants one too, well when he can write I'll make him a really guy version.....).



Oh and we bathed Colin, we are so stupid didn't know the glue wasn't waterproof (and they didn't tell us) and of course he got water in his face. Then after telling the m&m's & DH to stop playing so rough after their bedtime story his scar opened again and off course I freaked out... No blood but the scar was way open (or at least I thought so) so Ed used special tape and taped it closed again and I am so hoping this hasn't made it all worse. Will keep you updated on this.....

Oh and I have a new job ! That was one of my secrets.... I start September 4th at a Nova College here in Hoofddorp, as a yes hmmm how do I explain this.... They have a study room with computers, books etc. and I will helping out students there that study nursing, pedagogic etc. So psyched as it's something totally different but everyone I tell about it says "Oh that's so a job for you" so let's hope it is. I will work a day less & have all the schoolholidays off so that will help me get a better balance between being a mommy, wife, friend, store owner and scrapbooker ...no racing, colin can go to the creche 1 day less, I can bike to work (ok I will regret this when it rains but who cares) and loads and loads of free time and hopefully a very inspiring work environment.

Oh and while downloading pics (from my little camera) of today & the journal I found these photos:

Duo Penotti


I actually like this one !


Cute M&M's ...

[ Design Team Call Memory Lane Scrapbooking ]

We want to reach as many scrappers as possible so please spread the news ! My forum is down due to a hacker so that's why I made this link .....

Friday, July 14, 2006

A fun afternoon, ended not so fun

Boys playing ....







Equals Colin getting hurt (It wasn't the first and I'm guessing this won't be the last trip to the first aid post ....)

Second cut to this eye, about 1 cm between the two.

A bit of purple glue and his cut was fixed, wonder what it will look like tommorow......

To end the day with a bit more fun we went to Mc Donalds which is a treat for the M&M's as we rarely go. So the distress was soon forgotten.

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Some fun photo's as promised


Michael & his new BMX, 20 inch !! He's so happy once he's gotten on it that is (it's a bit too big for him so he's learning how to get on and go ...)


Mommy and me, 2 sexy babes.


He's still my cutie unshaved and with his silly hat.... (and me without my "face" on but hey it was a sunday ...)
















kissie cuddle kissie cuddle (loooooove that 1st photo)
















They always do this with grandpa Jan ! Someday they'll win for sure....














Look I have curls, Colin's been doing this a lot these days

Sunday, July 09, 2006

Good & not so good ...

Had a really nice couple of days !
Met up with Corinne, Flo & Revlie on friday evening to make a cute mini album that Corinne thought up. Saturday morning took me a while to wake up so I didn't really get into the swing of things until I went to a party at 13.00... then a bbq with friends in the evening.
Today, nothing much really. Spending some quality time with the kids, chatting with friends on the phone, Michael was trying out his new bmx type bike, boys (yes all 3) playing with lego, thinking up some things for Colin's b'day coming up soon and taking lot's of photo's. (will post some photo's later).

On the other hand I heard some not so great news about a friend of mine that really gets me every time I think about it and I will be making something special for her this week to help her through this rough time (again). I think I'm having a hard time with it because it's always in the back of my mind that it could hit our lives again too. C... sucks, and is such a nasty disease I wish no one should have to battle ! So our thoughts are with her and her family !

Thursday, July 06, 2006

Natural High

My sweet niece Patricia sent me this in a chain mail thing, I hate sending them on but I did send this on to a few of my girls as I thought they could use these for journaling. I'm definately using it for a LO ! Now I have to find THE photo..........Wanted to share them with you too !

Think about these one at a time BEFORE going on to the next one...IT DOES MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD, especially the thought at the end.

1. Being in love.
2. Laughing so hard your face hurts.
3. A hot shower.
4. No queues at the supermarket.
5. Taking a drive on a pretty road.
6. Hearing your favourite song on the radio.
7. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.
8. Hot towels fresh out of the dryer.
9. Chocolate milkshake ... (or vanilla ... or strawberry!)
10. A bubble bath.
11. Giggling.
12. A good conversation.
13. Finding a £20 note in your coat from last winter.
14. Running through sprinklers.
15. Laughing for absolutely no reason at all.
16. Having someone tell you that you're beautiful.
17. Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you.
18. Waking up and realising you still have a few hours left to sleep.
19. Making new friends or spending time with old ones.
20. Having someone play with your hair.
21. Sweet dreams.
22. Making eye contact with a cute stranger.
23. Holding hands with someone you care about.
24. Running into an old friend and realising that some things (good or bad) never change.
25. Watching the expression on someone's face as they open a much-desired present from you.
26. Getting out of bed every morning and being grateful for another beautiful day.
27. Knowing that somebody misses you.
28. Getting a hug from someone you care about deeply.
29. Knowing you've done the right thing, no matter what other people think.

So which one is your favourite ?

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

Some new work

My hands were itching to make something after being ill all week, but I didn't want to tackle too big of a project. I had already picked out the paper and photo just needed to "create" so I did this in one evening (unique for me as most of you know).

A photo of my mother, the man who raised my mother (I was named after him), no journaling this time, the lo speaks for itself. I loved using the buttons (finally) and the velvet ribbon.



Finished the time time time lo. It was for a challenge to make a lo about a typical day in your life as a careerwoman, mother, partner, friend etc. the color an use of materials was free. You've seen a sneak preview, I finished the journaling and added the last photo so this is it. I tried to give a sense of how I feel my life is ruled by the clock at this point in my life ....



Journaling " Time Time Time see what is (I know it should be has but is worked better...) become of me"

My first encounter with an alarm is at 6.30, I don't have to get up rightaway, so usually I try to wake up slowly and get ready fast …. Sometimes Iwish I had alarms as reminders going off all day long so I'm sure to arrive everywhere on time but to be realistic I'm sure this would drive me even more crazy. I have to face it, at this time in my life my days are ruled byclocks & watches …

My Second alarm goes off at 8.05 which means we have to go out the door.Before this alarm was set into place we kept arriving at school too late for Michael to pick the activity of his choice and this alarm helps us withthis.

Getting Michael to school on time without stressing too much always gives me a good feeling. I then have plenty of time to wait with him until the door opens and to say our goodbyes Before I have to leave and be in the car by 8.30 am. Again plenty of time to drive to work and put my make-up on on the way. I usually arrive at work by 9.00 am id all the elements work with me that is.

Lunchtime @ 12.00, no alarm that goes off but co-workers coming round topick me up for a lunchbreak. A nice relaxing moment I enjoy in my daily routine, a break from looking at my watch …

My race goes on at 14.50 I have to turn off my pc, my desk has to be cleared so I can be in the car by 14.55. Fingers crossed that I do not have any slowcars in front of me, no bad weather that makes everyone go slower, no tractors or busses and I will arrive at Michael's school on time before the door opens which is at 15.15. I hate arriving late at the school to find a sadlittle boy in search of his mommy, because it's more fun when he comes out the door and smile as he sees you. Makes my day !

At home things go at a slower pace and the only race to be held here is to get dinner on the table at least at 17.30, if that race is not won Michaeland Colin won't be in bed on time and depending on workshops, crops or other plans I will have to race once again to get ready on time …

Our bedtime ritual begins @ 18.30, spending some quality time with the boyswhile they bathe and we get them ready for bed. We always read them a story and sing songs and alternate turns in who takes whom to bed and then al is quiet…Depending on the plans for the evening, relaxation starts at 20.30 ….

Relaxation can mean scrapping (most important way to unwind), spending time with Ed or a friend, watching a favourite tv show or movie or reading a magazine/book (about scrapbooking of course).

My bedtime should be @ 22.30 but unfortunately there's not enough time in aday so I usually go to bed later than this which doesn't help the next morning when the alarm goes off @ 6.30 …. Materials : Scenic Route dp, cardstock action, inkt en heel veel verschillende stickers, rubons ed.

Monday, July 03, 2006

17 years ago

I met this amazing guy in Benidorm and never let go ......



Today is our 4th wedding anniversary.