This is 39

Happy Birthday to Me...2019 edition!

Birthdays are no joke. I don't mind getting older, but I have a hard time setting expectations and then watching them crash and burn. This year for my birthday, I had two goals:

1. To not be sad on my birthday
2. To wake up in a tent on my birthday

Well, I was sad when I slept in and missed the sunrise, lit the stove on fire so I missed my coffee, and had to pack up a wet tent, but hey! I woke up in a tent!

And to be fair the rest of the weekend was pretty damn spectacular...

Next year's plans are already in the works. Expect more of the same. But hopefully with a better stove.

FURTHER READING
This is 38 - Birthday Post & Birthday Scrapbook

xo

Scrapbooking - This is 38

I am mostly finished my "This is 38" mini album from my recent birthday. Turns out I forgot to print two photos, so once those go in, I will be done-done. But there's no use waiting to post it!

As you can see, it's mostly photos. I used an old album I had in my stash, from a long forgotten thrift store visit. I love buying these types of albums because they are usually perfect for a quick mini album of an event or vacation. The photo sleeves are about 3.5 x 3.5, so I had all of my photos printed at 4x4 and trimmed them down accordingly.

Interspersed with the photos are a few journaling spots.

The stamp in the top photo is one I carved as part of my 100 Days of Stamp Carving projects. I cleaned it up a bit before stamping. And then I tidied some of the lines that weren't very dark, but I think I went too far! The leaf stamp is also from that 100 Days project. I grabbed a few autumn coloured stamp pads and applied the stamps to the side of each journaling card, which themselves are cut from some white cardstock I had already. I wanted a little bit of colour, but not too much.

In a small book like this, with limited journaling, I made use of a lot of "white space" in my photos and wrote or stamped on them.

This allowed me to add some notes, as-it-were, to some of the photos when I ran out of journaling space.

As you can hopefully see, I had a weekend full of love and peace, which is just what my heart needed.

FURTHER READING

This is 38 Birthday Post

All Birthday posts (That one from 2013 brings on ALL the FEELS)

This is 38

Happy Birthday to Me!

Something Nadine wrote in her last birthday post struck a chord with me. She wrote: "I look forward to 40, I have a plan to stand in the ocean as my best self and then to raise my arms to the sky and say thank you."

What a beautiful way to celebrate a milestone birthday, by looking forward and imagining what you want the next one to look like - and feel like.

I went back through some old birthday posts, and am feeling nostalgic. Five years ago I made some big decisions on my birthday, and I am so proud of me. Revisiting those memories was a good - and much needed - reminder that I can do BIG and BRAVE things.

And some years (days, months, minutes, moments) are made to be big and brave, but this year I find I am craving moments that are small and comforting. I am really struggling right now, and literally making it through the weekend feels like a huge victory.

This is 38.

FURTHER READING
Nadine Karen Design - This is 39

Dude's 12th Birthday

Thinking about Lucas' 13th birthday coming up, and reminiscing about years' past, inspired me to complete a simple mini album using photos from his birthday last year!

My main goal for last year was to just relax and let things happen. I usually get anxious about birthdays, worried about them not living up to my expectations or what I "should" be doing to celebrate. Last year, I said "fuck it" to all of that and simply had fun hanging out with my son.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
- Telus World of Science to see the Science of Pixar exhibit
- Kingsway Mall for lunch (sushi), shopping at Lush (bath bombs), then dessert from a food truck in the parking lot (cotton candy wrapped popsicle)
- Take out pizza dinner at home with Grandma & Grandpa
- Presents & cake!

We are celebrating his 13th birthday today and tomorrow. Another low key weekend for us, but HE IS HAVING A FRIEND OVER AND I'M FINE JUST FINE OVER HERE NOTHING TO SEE HERE NOTHING AT ALL I'M A COOL MOM.

Being 13 was interesting. And now I get to see it from the other side. Parenting is a weird and wild ride y'all.

xo

Birthday Recap...At Last

I celebrated my birthday almost 3 weeks ago now, but it seemed kind of bittersweet so I haven't really wanted to post anything. But it was still "goodtimes", and I would hate for anyone to think that I disapprove of birthdays. And I do want to document it, so here goes...

Friday night - Pirate Crop at TM with Candace! I don't think we got a lot of scrapbooking done, but we chatted and took photos and had a grand old time. You've already seen the photographic evidence here.

I left the fun early, as I got the designated driver call. Finding a basement suite downtown was not easy, but I was rewarded with some garlic-stuffed olives!

Saturday morning - breakfast at Humpty's with my Boys. Russ and I shared a dish that we both remember being better in the past, and Dude polished off a big plate of pancakes and a side of bacon. Always with the side of bacon. Sometimes Russ & I even manage to snag a couple!

Afternoon - Dude, Russel and some of my extended family went to a train show in Sherwood Park, so I was left to my own designs. I did some more scrapbooking and listened to some Italian Opera on vinyl while I waited for my "movie date" to pick me up. Dan & I headed over to the Garneau Theatre, but stopped next door first at Rosso for pizza (he needed lunch) and beers (hair of the dog...?).

Our movie of choice this afternoon was a Marx Brother's Monkey Business. Very hilarious! But why oh why do those seats have to be so uncomfortable?

This is a BFF tradition now, going to a Metro Movie on our birthdays. Yay us!

Evening - Celebrated with cake and presents at my Mom and Step-Dad's house. Lots of awesome presents, and an amazing cake made by Mom. And some handsome dudes to help me open said presents and eat said cake. I am a lucky lady.

Sunday Morning - I ran my first 5k!

And I did pretty good! Russ said I finished above-average in my age category. I think my time was around 36 minutes.

Monday morning - My good friend Candace stopped off at work with a coffee and some balloons! I love helium balloons, and think that no birthday is complete without at least one. Mom took me out for lunch to Original Joes (mmm...fish tacos) and the boys & I went out for Thai food for dinner. After dinner - which was so delicious - we grabbed Dude's bike and headed out for some riding lessons.

I had to do a lot of running to keep up, and even then I wasn't. Keeping up that is! I had a belly full of thai food....mmmm.... And also he is super fast! And awesome!

And that is that...mostly.

Overall, it was a tough birthday for me. And not because of the number. 33 isn't so bad at all! I am looking forward to the season and the changes that I hope it brings...

later loves

Another Year Older...Another Year More Mature?!

Ha! Unlikely!

These photos were taken almost one week apart, but as far as my camera is concerned, they were taken immediately after one another. The top is a birthday "selfie" (how I loathe that word) and the bottom was taken by Lucas at the Comic Expo.

I firmly believe that you are only as young as you feel, and most days I feel just the right age...

Long Live Duckfaced Dorks!

later love

Happy Birthday BFF!

We had a lovely celebration on the weekend, but today is Dan's actual birthday. If all goes according to plan we are headed out to see a weird sci-fi movie (made in 1972...of course) in 12 hours. Not that any of this is of interest to y'all out there, but this might be...

I kind of went a little crazy with his gifts. Including painting the wrapping paper with an image of our favourite going-out beer, La Chouffe.

The first time I ordered this, it was solely for the funny gnome on the label. Yep, that's how I choose beer.

And then I painted this re-purposed mailing envelope.

It started out as a moleskine sketch...and then snowballed out of control from there!

And this was one of his actual presents. 

This is where we go for coffee and movies. This is where our friendship was born (aww....mushy). And on the marquis sign I even wrote the titles of the movies we've seen there! I am feeling quite proud of myself for this one. I dug down deep in my brain and made use of all my (high school) drafting skills. Man I missed using a ruler. I've never done a watercolour like this before...I might have to make one for myself now.

It's fun to have a best friend to spoil on his 30th birthday!

Dork Alert!
(I really hope he doesn't hate me for posting this photo on my blog for the whole world to see....tee hee!)

later loves

Thursday = Fake Friday!

I kind of had the best birthday ever this year! I felt so blessed for all the super awesome people in my life! Who know me so well, and who spoil me with their love and attention, and sweet sweet lady ties.

Day #1 of the Celebration (aka "Thursday")

Gifts & (delicious flourless) cake at work! Woot!

Up next, dinner (my choice) at Famoso. Nom nom nom...vegan cheese and lots of beer for me!

I love yummy Famoso pizza, although I will admit it's not for everyone. This time around we made sure to ask for our pizzas "well done", which means an extra couple of seconds in the big oven. And I tried the Daiya cheese on our vegetarian pizza, and it was delicious. My little bro manages the location in South Commons, but he works days so wasn't there to "comp" my birthday meal. I need some sort of laminated card that states: "This is Lisa. She is my sister. She gets free pizza yo!". Dude, get on that will yah? (I'm only sort of joking...)

For the scrapbookers: Background is Echo Park, and the other paper on there is My Mind's Eye & Bazzill (the tag & dark woodgrain). The little label things are Studio Calico & "Noteworthy" was cut from a big sheet of Echo Park paper. Little orange letter stickers are also Echo Park (I'm noticing a theme here) and were gifted to me by Jill at my Friday Night Par-tay. Little word stickers are My Mind's Eye & the heart is a "Jim" Holtz die cut. I think that's it...

This was definitely my best birthday ever! I've got more layouts coming up, cause I just couldn't put them all in the same post. I'm kind of "full of myself" like that.

later loves

A Long Time in the Making

I started penning this post the day after my birthday. I wanted to remember all that I was feeling about my weekend, and about getting older, and about where I'm at now compared to where I want to be.

And I wondered what this post would have looked like if I started writing it on Saturday night instead. Oh Sunday....this happens every time....

I am actually having a hard time putting in to words what I am feeling today, but I think I need to try. I'm thinking that maybe I should just turn off the brain and let it all just be whatever it is. And not over think it. And not worry about what could be, or what could have been.

I kind of felt on top of the world that weekend. I had four days of amazing friends, & food, & family. I went on a little adventure. I went to a movie. I got a record player and listened to some fabulous classic tunes.

And I felt really young and alive. Even surrounded by all the hipsters at the movie! Wink!

And I felt as light as a feather (except after all that food on Saturday night, oi vay!)

And even with all my over-thinking things, I feel like I am in a really good place.

I feel like I don't really need or want to change anything. I had an amazing summer. I am doing fine at work and with my other commitments. I am doing more exciting things than I ever thought possible, and my life seems really full. I could always use more time, but that kind of goes without saying!

September is always a positive month for me. With my birthday, and the changing seasons I always feel more alive and capable of pretty much anything. I want to do whatever I can to continue this feeling into the winter and the New Year (if I can swing it).

More on my "Fall Goals" later; aka stuff I'm going to write down and say I'm going to do and then probably never do, but maybe I'll do something cooler.

later loves

The Last Birthday Re-Cap Post...I Promise!

 Sunday, September 23. My official birthday. Plans were such: gym in the AM, followed by a coffee & movie date with BFF in the afternoon!

We went and saw Moonrise Kingdom at Garneau, after stopping at a very busy Transcend next door for a London Fog & an Americano.

The movie was awesome...I heart Wes Anderson. Lots of funny moments, and lots of awkward teenage love moments...awww. BFF made me a leather coffee cup sleeve with my name engraved on it! Say what?! I was floored, and stunned, and so happy! I mean, I knew he was crafty and handy, but that was just too perfect.

After he dropped me off at home I had a nap.

And then we went to my Dad's house for dinner...and cake! And I got to snuggle my one-and-only sweet-and-precious niece Miss Londyn. I love baby time, and we just don't see the youngest bro and his family enough. Shane celebrated his 27th birthday last week, so the cake had a couple of names on it!

Also, in case you were wondering, there were lots of dorky moments this weekend. Perhaps more than usual, in fact.

wink! love you! no...seriously...

this week on the blog

// More layouts! I've been busy... // "What to Wear" to a Pumpkin Patch //

 // A story about a skirt, aka "I am a sarcastic bitch" //

 // Lisa asks a favour // More days of "Being Awesome"

later loves

please note: this is the last of the Birthday Re-Cap posts, but I've still got a bunch of scrapbooking stuff coming at ya that is birthday related! HA! And you thought you were in the clear, off the hook, and all that jazz. No such luck peeps!

More Birthday Awesome-Time

First, a re-cap.

Scrapbooking with the girls - aka "Friday Night Lights" - was completely awesome! I had such a blast reconnecting with my favourite ladies that I just don't see enough. And then Saturday happened, and it redefined what awesome truly means.

I wish I could have bottled the good mood I was in, to save for a rainy day! We grabbed some Mucho Burrito for lunch (Dude: "But I don't like burritos....") then headed north to "ride the rails". The Edmonton Radial Railway Society runs a restored trolley across the High Level Bridge throughout the summer months. This is a bridge that I dread driving on as part of my commute home. It's up super high, and the trolley runs above the cars! Yikes!

But once we got going, I forgot about how high I was and just enjoyed the view. The river valley is a spectacular site in fall, especially now as the leaves are just beginning to shed their summer greenery for a tawny autumn suit. My camera & my photos just don't do it justice.

And the river was so clear! You could see the bottom, and that never happens. The ride is about 20 minutes from the south side of the river, where it departs behind the Strathcona Farmer's Market, to the north side. You can either disembark across from the Legislature, or take the full trip up the "hill" and get off just south of Jasper Ave. We got off there and walked the block to Starbucks for a treat!

And then we caught the train back across, and headed home, where I filled up my new shelves with old books. R & Heath cut the boards down for me in the morning, and I spent most of the rest of the day moving books downstairs, congratulating myself on a job well done, and sitting back to enjoy my hard work! Lots of fuss for a bunch of cheap white shelves (best idea ever.....but whatever!).

We spent the evening at Mom & Heath's place for dinner, cake (gluten-free!) and presents. One of which was my very own record player! Eek! Once we got home, I spent the rest of the night listening to records.

And I had the cutest little helpers for my candles!

Most importantly, I got to spend the whole day with my two best boys! Lucky me.

later loves

p.s. The birthday weekend extravaganza didn't end on Saturday, oh no. Let's see if I can put something together for all the Sunday action....betcha just can't wait! Chompin' at the bit, aren't you?!

A Good Sport

R isn't the photographer of the family. Heck, he even takes less photos than Dude does at this point! When I hand him the camera, I usually remember to put it back to auto, just how he likes it. But sometimes I forget, or hope that maybe he'll give my settings a chance.

And that's when this happens....

My settings // R adds the flash to "compensate" (for what? I might add) // Back to auto aka "His Comfort Zone"

Which one do you prefer? Because I love R and want him to continue taking photos, I'm going to go ahead and say #3.

Photos taken at Famoso South Commons, by Russel. My first of four birthday dinners!

later loves

The Best In Me

Every time we get together, I sit in awe of these ladies that I call friends.

Nadine, Kara, Kirsten, Jill, Me, KC
Not pictured: Chantel, Kennedy, Naomi, Candace (the photographer)

We celebrated my birthday with some scrapbooking & sushi at TM on Friday night. AND KARA CAME UP!!! EEK! I was so happy and surprised to see her and Naomi and Candace come out.

Not only was I so excited to get some scrapbooking & crafting done, I was happy to be surrounded by a group of laughing chatting ladies that I love. Jill & Kirsten sitting across from me speaking in their own weird sister-language, playing "Hide Your Kids Hide Your Wives" on their iPhones. And Nadine, Kara & Naomi wandering through the store "shopping" & holding hands.

I am even more in awe that these ladies call me "friend" as well....

And everybody kept hugging me. It was kind of completely awesome.

Today is my actual birthday. And the first full day of fall.... This weekend just keeps getting better & better!

Coming up on the blog: what happened yesterday!

later loves

Orange you glad

I'm not the biggest fan of this layout, but I do love how the background turned out, and I love all the elements on their own! Funny how that works...

This is the last layout for awhile. It's still from the same batch I started posting back in June. And now it's done. I was saving it to post next week, but it turns out I am being very very boring quiet this week and needed to use it NOW!

Layout Deets: The mist in the background is new Studio Calico Mister Hueys. TM got the latest colours in, to go with the new line. They are so tasty looking! Stencils are Crafter's Workshop/Julie Balzer and Jenni Bowlin. I've got a bunch of washi tape on here. I find this is a great way to add strips of colour where I normally would have used paper.

later loves

So, I found this photo...

...hiding in amongst the bits & bobs on my uber-cluttered desk, and I was in the zone, so I scrapbooked it up!

Three things to notice about this page:
#1. Look at how short my hair was! And crooked! LOVE IT!!
#2. Yellow + turquoise + grey = unconscious shoutout to my friend Juli!!
#3. Who says you have to scrapbook in chronological order? This pic was taken in August, but I just finished scrapping my Jasper trip in October!

On a side note - and mostly as props to Chantel & TM - I want to point out the most awesome American Crafts rosettes and Basic Grey Lace paper on this layout...both items being ON SALE this week at TM!! Chantel is having a BLOW YOUR MIND SALE in the store: 30% - 70% off selected brands, with pretty much everything else at 20% off! I picked up some sweet Stamper's Anonymous leaf stamps for 50% off!

I've got a couple of layouts making their way to Facebook today that feature some other SALE products. Won't you be our friend??

That is all...Happy Wednesday!!