So according to the countdown to Santa...

it's 24 sleeps, 15 hours, 16 minutes & 36 seconds (well at the time I started this post) til the big man comes to visit... will you be ready??

I seem to have a bit more christmas spirit than some years... actually thought of putting the tree up today... we'll see - if not next week for sure.

I've purchased some of my presents - done quite a bit online because shipping is sometimes cheaper than driving... Kids have written their letter to Santa too so that part's taken care of. And now that AJ's bday is over we can see what he has received so far and purchase some other things...

Alexander's birthday was a great day! He woke up and opened his ipod from mommy and daddy and grandma and grandpa ... and then his hockey gloves from his sister... after he had pumpkin scones for breakfast and off to his Enrichment school. When the bus dropped him back to the house - Grandma and Grandpa (Maggie) were here waiting to whisk him off to Chapters for a hot chocolate and a new book! He chose the Warriors series. I love that he loves to read - just like his mama!

Then it was off to dinner at King's Buffet with his family incl. Gillian and Collin (Jess calls him Oliver)... lots of FUN!

Still find it hard to believe it was 10 years ago... and he's grown into such a sweet boy!

I believe in Santa Claus!

The Santa Claus parade in my town was on Saturday... and it was a miserable rainy day. I don't go to the parade usually ... we used to when it was downtown Preston - but since they moved it we haven't gone since.

Anyhow I was watching it on tv ... and felt sorry for those poor people in the pouring rain but kept watching it. Waiting for the big guy to make his appearance.

The minute they said Santa was coming up next - no word of lie - the rain turned to fluffy snowflakes. I called Jessie and we watched Santa and Mrs. Claus on TV speaking to the reporter and we were in awe of his power to change rain to snow!!

Beautiful U R

was told to listen to this song ... and then listen to it again...

sometimes friends see us differently than we see ourselves.... thanks!

Deborah cox - beautiful u r
It's your life
Things may not always go right, for you
In those times
Just leave it behind
Cause sometimes you gotta play the game
Just to survive
Without losing yourself
It`s a fight, it's true
It takes time
Don`t have all the answers
No matter how hard it gets
Hold on to what`s inside
(chorus)
Don't never let nobody bring you down girl
Don't never let nobody tear your world apart
Look in the mirrow and see who you are
Beautiful u r
In the dark
The paint chips have waited your heart
So deep
Can`t you see
See the light in the distance
Open up your eye, look, look to the sky
And believe
There`s much more to life when you free
That`s the key
And in time
You will find all the answers
Don`t have to lose your pride
Wondering what`s inside
(chorus)
Don`t never let nobody bring you down girl
Don`t never let nobody tear your world apart
Look in the mirrow and see who you are
Beautiful u r
Don`t never let nobody bring you down girl
Don`t never let nobody tear your world apart
Look in the mirror and see who you are
Beautiful u r
Don't care what they say anymore
There's no time to be insecure
I leave it all at the door
She stearing at him in the face
She's taking it day by day
I'm finally on my way
(chorus)
Don't never let nobody bring you down girl
Don't never let nobody tear your world apart
Look in the mirror and see who you are
Beautiful u r
Don't never let nobody bring you down girl
Don't never let nobody tear your world apart
Look in the mirror and see who you are
Beautiful u r
Beautiful u r
Beautiful u r
Beautiful u r

Monkey hugs

When I was little my friend Donna broke her arm. When she got home her mom got her a pair of hugging monkeys. I wanted those hugging monkeys!!!

I haven't thought of this in years but today I was on a mission to see if I could find them on ebay. I found these guys - not quite the same but cute!

I have a bit of a fascination with monkeys. If I had my way I'd have the cheeky monkey webkinz and the monkey from build a bear - in addition to all other stuffed monkeys - especially sock monkeys - how cool are they?

I met a lady this summer ... and she had a whole room FULL (and I mean FULL) of monkeys. I was in monkey heaven. She even had those monkeys called monchichi... they sucked their thumbs - I loved those when I was little!

I am making Jessie a flannel quilt with a monkey theme - passing the monkey addiction on to her ...

Lisa's BESTEST day ever....

My daughter has a bestest day ever - it was the day she swam in her undies with her friend Jaime in Lake Ontario...

Mine is not so daring but it's the day I went shopping in the US with Jaime's Mom - Steph!

We left early in the AM - headed to Target - easy drive... and we successfully shopped! Bought lots of stuff - for the kids, for us, for Halloween... just because LOL! Then we went to JoAnn's where we shopped more.... and then to Walden Galleria for - yup you guessed it MORE SHOPPING!

We had a lot in common with our purchases - kids the same age - both love sewing, etc. It was SO much fun!!!!

I won I won I won

I just won a gift certificate to go to a spa.............. me!!! I can't wait to indulge in something - what should I get done?!

Two of my favourites things - Coffee and Reading Blogs

I love coffee, especially Monday morning..., originally uploaded by albaflickr.

What's in your google reader - this is what I try to keep up with... most of crafty/sewing blogs, some are of friends IRL or Virtual, all are just fun to read!

A Dress A Day
A Mom, a Blog, and the Life In-Between
Angry Chicken
Anna Maria Horner
BubbaChic
c h i l d r e n's - b o u t i q u e - f a s h i o n s
Carina's craftblog
Frank Notes
Genesis of a Cook
Grosgrain
Habitual
HER HAPPY HIGHNESS
journal
Just Tutes
Lisa's Thinking Spot (me)
Little Gorjuss Things
Little Munchkins
Material Mama Podcast
My Little Slice of Pie
My Whim is Law
Old Red Barn Co.
Portabellopixie
Runs With Knitting Ne...
russiansweetheart
Scrampologist
Sew Inspired
Simply Recipes
Sisters of a Different Order
splityarn
The Handmade Dress
The Princess and the Monkey
Trillium
Two Scrapbook Friends
Wee Wonderfuls
Sew,Mama,Sew! Blog