I'm Grateful!

Today's post over at The Sisterhood of Crafters is all about being grateful - and finding gratefulness. And after returning from a week in the beautiful Dominican Republic with my mom, I'm grateful to have gone on such a wonderfully sunny vacation with her - and the fact that we're both still talking to one another after a week together. LOL!

I created this card as a thank you to her for our vacation and also had a chance to ink up some previously unopened new Verve stamps (plus, my even NEWER ones arrived today, so hopefully that'll get me crafting some of the upcoming birthday cards I'll need!) I used colors that I know she likes - and I hope she has a little idea of how much I appreciated our time at the lovely Moon Palace in Punta Cana!

I'm still not loving taking pictures with the new travel camera that MrP is forcing me to learn to use, but I'm getting there. At least I know it takes great tropical pictures. Now let's hope the disposable that I used for my parasailing pics takes the same - I'll know tonight!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

I tried a technique I saw on Maureen's blog a while back and combined it with a cool technique that Kim used on the Sisterhood's second challenge. I hope this qualifies for the fabulous Tips, Techniques & Tricks challenge she's lined up...c'mon & join in! Find some hidden potential.

This is my mom's birthday card, which we're celebrating here in the beautiful Dominican Republic.

This was us in the taxi in Hamilton, ON

And then heading out for supper on our first night (pretty good photography skills considering the amounts of rum & mamajuana I'd consumed =)  )

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Thanks for bringing me along to celebrate!

Enjoying myself?

Yes I am! We arrived safe & sound yesterday at Moon Palace and I think five star might just be the way to go. LOL! Well, I know it's the way to go, but I think I might actually put out the $$ for it in the future - this place is outstanding.

The walk to our room (the resort is still under construction, so it's not jam packed and the place is HUGE!! Plus we're one of the closest resorts to the ocean according to the little map I received) See that blue sky? Yep - follow it to reach blue ocean!)

Which I did....and what an ocean it is!

Then I lounged a little before checking out the next pool over...which was where I discovered the awesomeness of a swim-up bar. And mamajuana. And Pina Coladas with Brugal.

And Spin at 10am!

Oh yeah - and let's not forget this hottie who wasn't complaining too much when we were checking out the warm ocean =) Only two more days until her birthday! And if she ever found out I put this on here...well let's just say I don't think she'd like the Dominican jails, which might be my only saving grace =)

That's right - I enjoyed myself last night, was fairly early to bed, then sweated it out with the hottie instructor and a fairly full class of Spin participants. And we'll all meet up tomorrow at 10 for another session! Met some fellow hockey fans from Michigan in class (the guy cheered "Go Wings" and I said "yeah - I can appreciate that - I love Steve Yzerman" and now we're friends for life. I think. Well, maybe just tomorrow. When we can sweat our little faces off again!)

Hope you're having a great start of the week. I'm just enjoying a little "After Sun Gel". LOL! Already achieved some color in the pool & shade.

On the way back from the pool, I met a little birdie friend. (or should I say....I like him from far away...)

Exam results - just in time for vacation

Turns out I can stop second guessing all of my answers - I didn't do too bad. =) 
91% on my Financial Accounting midterm! Now I can keep on learning & get to the final by the end of June and I'll be doing alright.

I'm soooo not ready for my trip, but I fly out to Hamilton at 11am tomorrow morning, so I better get ready tonight. Went for my last vaccine last night (after the doctor's office moved my appt. from Wednesday because they ran out of Twinrix) and learned that they didn't get it in...still. I'm thinking with two of the three shots, I'll still be alright, but talk about frustrating. Thankfully, I had a pedicure and massage to ease  my mind last night.

Picked up a little pocket book on Spanish from the library so I can at least attempt to learn a little language while I'm in Punta Cana, then some granola bars and snacks for the flights. Tonight, packing and hanging out with MrP. Oh yeah - and whipping up a birthday card for my mom's birthday on Wednesday, which happens to correspond with the next challenge on The Sisterhood of Crafters!

Happy Birthday, Maureen!

It's time for our first challenge over at the Sisterhood and what better than to start out than a good ol' Irish challenge on St. Patrick's Day?! It also happens to be my friend Maureen's birthday, so I made this Irish card for her. I don't know if it made it to her for today, but if not, it should be there by the end of the week =)

I used the My Graphico Sketch 39 that my friend Karin so clearly rocked and I was inspired to give it a try.

The white on my wonderful sister Teri's beautiful shamrock is actually glimmer mist that didn't spritz as lovely as I'd have liked, but whatever - it was the best of the ones I had printed, so you'll have to deal with it, M!

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!

Sweet Sunday-Tuesday?!

It's Sweet Sunday Sketch 60! Or at least my interpretation of it. Pretty simple and speedy card to make - and just a touch of sparkle with some Dazzling Diamonds on the embossing.

Paper: Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, DSP

Accessories: Gold Brads, SU! Five Petal Flower Punch, Dazzling Diamonds, Glue

My last jumping lesson before a three week break was a good one and to make it over the top, MrP came out & watched. He could barely breath by the time I was encouraging him to head home, but I was so happy he came. Talk about feeling loved & supported - especially after a relatively crappy day otherwise - really made my night! I don't know what I'm going to do without him for a week. Probably relax, I suppose =)

Have a great Tuesday! I've got a library study date night tonight...and I must remember to borrow a spanish book so I might be able to say a few things at the resort. The countdown is ON!

I did it...

I survived! LOL! Actually, I did more than survive. I finished strong in a hilly race that didn't get any easier than the last time I ran it, but I was happy with my finish and I'm looking forward to signing up for some more activities. Next up is the UofA Faculty Club Run on April 17th with Ellis and it's one of our faves - probably because it's also known by our group of friends as "The Beer Run". Yep - Big Rock is a sponsor, so they offer free beer and champagne/OJ after the run, along with the most spectacular breakfast Coincidentally, it's usually around the time of my birthday and since it's not my turn to drive this year, we're heading out to Julio's again for Bulldogs afterwards. I'm also still collecting pledges for the 2-day, 185 km bike tour in June, so if you're a Canadian looking to support the MS Society, please consider donating through my link on the right.


I did up a birthday card last night for a friend's birthday tomorrow, but I didn't get it uploaded in time to show you today. That's on my to do list for tonight. It's a fairly simple card using Karen's Sweet Sunday  Sketch 60.

Into the countdown for my vacation days now...yahooo! So much to do and so little time. But sunscreen is definitely on the list - and I hope I get to use it. With the hopeful participation of Mother Nature while I'm in Punta Cana, I'd also appreciate decent weather to come back to Edmonton with. However, since March came in like a lamb, I'm fully expecting the whole 'out like a lion' business. If that's the case, I'll suck it up...we've had an amazing month of great weather. When I ran the St. Patrick's Day race two years ago, it was -20 and snowing. Yeah - I'm not complaining =)