My visit with Bev, Aug 22/09

On Sat Aug 22 I had the great pleasure of meeting one of my online card friends. Bev and her hubby, Jim (from Virginia) were taking a cruise up to Alaska out of the Vancouver port. So before they left on their cruise we spent a lovely afternoon together.
They stopped at one of our favourite restaurants and picked up lunch for us.
While Jim went for an 8 mile walk around Buntzen Lake, just outside of where we live, Bev and I enjoyed the afternoon chatting and making a flower pot card.
Bev

flowerpot card

new photos

Just a short update: on Sat, Aug 22 it was my oldest son, Matt’s birthday, he’s 33! How did that happen, LOL! It just seems like yesterday that he was a baby...not anymore.
So on Sunday we had some of our family come for lunch to celebrate. Here are a few pictures of Madison and a group photo of some of our grandchildren.
back to front: gramma, Kassandra, Seb, Colton, Alex, Thomas and Jesse....just a few of our grandchildren, LOL!

Madison just wants to walk, LOL!

taking her walker with her!

she wants to walk

but just woke up from her nap, LOL!!

My knee surgery

Monday August 24, 2009

Well it’s been a very long time since I’ve been on my blog. I know I’ve missed alot, and apologize to all for not following their blogs lately. I will try to catch up as I can.
So on August 4th I had the first of my 2 knee replacement surgeries. I had my right knee totally replaced. The surgery in itself was extremely painful but after healing for the last 3 weeks I am well on the road to recovery and feeling much better. I am also looking forward to now having my left knee replaced. This will happen sometime at the end of Sept if there are any cancellations and if not, then I’m booked for Oct 8th.
This first surgery is sort of a learning curve for hubby and me. We’ll know so much more for the next one and what works for us.
Physio is painful but really wonderful too. I have a great therapist to work with me and am doing pretty good. Today my range was at 86.
Last Monday, Aug 17th, was my first time out completely by myself in I don’t know how long! I used what we call up here in BC the Handy Dart bus. It’s a small bus that is for people who have handicap disabilities; it picks me up at my doorstep, helps me into the vehicle and delivers me to where I need to be, such as physio, and then comes back at a certain time to take me home, it’s wonderful as well as so very convenient. Well that’s about it for me and my knees! By Christmas time I should be up and around with no more pain!
Life is good, LOL!!!

Blog Award

I’ve been awarded a blog award by Carolyn. Thank you Carolyn, what a nice honour. I’m to pass it on to 7 nominees.

The rules for this award are:
1. Thank the person that nominated you for this award.
2. Copy logo and place it on your blog.
3. Link the person's blog that nominated you for this award.
4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting.
5. Nominate 7 Kreativ Blogger.
6. Post a link to the 7 you nominated.
7. Leave a comment on each blog to let them know they are nominated.

Here are my 7 nominees:
Cindy
Angie
Bev
Donna
Lindsay
Lora’s cards
Meda


7 things about me:
1) I’m married to a wonderful man. We have 2 adult children each.
2) I have an assortment of 13 grandchildren (includes step & fosters) ranging in the ages from 9 months through 18 years.
3) I’m a retired office manager.
4) I started out scrapbooking then got into card making and absolutely love it.
5) I’m co moderator of a wonderful online card group, the ladies there are all totally awesome.
6) I’ve belonged to Beta Sigma Phi for 27 years.
7) I'm having the first of 2 knee replacement surgeries on Aug 4th (my dad’s 78th bday). The second one will be at the end of September....I’ve waited for a very long time for this...

enjoying my granddaugther

Hi everyone! I had the pleasure of having my little granddaughter Madison with me from July 26 thru to the 30th. She is 9 1/2 months now and is a real joy. She is walking around the furniture by herself! I think she’ll be walking by the end of Aug. Here are a few photos of Madison time at grammas’ house.
Madison playing with her toys

this is my very good friend Rita, Madison took a shine to Rita!

Madison loves water and her pool

here she is more confident now!

this was taken on July 17 when she came for lunch

here's Madison standing up...so proud of herself!

some challenge cards

I have made some challenge cards, but again did not get them into the challenges – one day, LOL!
using wheels on a card

sweet celebrations

using stickers on a card

pink, black & white teapot

pink, black & white challenge

using this free birdie digi stamp

heat embossing

black & white challenge

using 3 colors only

July/Aug birthday, anniversary, get well cards

Hi everyone! Well I haven’t done much on my blog lately, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been creating, LOL!! Below are cards I’ve made for July & August Birthdays, Anniversaries and a Get Well card.
Elsie & Brians 35th Anniversary

Jason & Jacquie A/day

Bev & Ralph A/day

Karen & Bob A/day

Andrea's Special Day

get well Sassy girl

for Karalee

for Daniel

for my Sister, Lyn
inside her card

for Sue

for Meda

for Maureen

for Elsie

for Linda

for Jason

for Ken

for Rene`

July Blogging

Hi everyone! It was my birthday last month (July 7) and I celebrated it with my hubby and my son’s and their families by going to the Swiss Chalet for a yummy chicken dinner. Here are a few photos of baby Madison and Grammas’ chocolate cake, LOL!


Madison loves chocolate cake!!

Angie's Birthday Candy

Angie's Birthday Candy,
Angie is celebrating her birthday next week and she is giving some lovely blog candy away.
So go check out Angie's blog for all the details and while you're there don't forget to check out her great cards too!
Happy Birthday Angie!!!!
hugs, Valerie

BLOG CANDY ALERT

Hi everyone,
it's been awhile since I've posted. I own a cricut so today I've been "blog cruising", visiting other blogs to see what others are doing. I was just at Enfys , she has some wonderful blog candy to give away. So if you're interested in trying your luck at winning, go have a peek at her blog.
hugs, Valerie

A Busy Weekend

Our weekend has been really busy with grandchildren! What a fun time I've had. We have lovely and well behaved grandchildren, also very talented too.
On Sunday Alex and Thomas made Father's Day cards.
Alex (9 1/2) made this card for his dad for Father's Day

inside Alex' card

Thomas (6 1/2) made this card for his dad for Father's Day

inside Thomas' card

baby Madison really wants to walk

baby Madison, 8 months now, she just loves all the attention!

On Saturday Alex and Thomas came for a movie (Marley & Me) and sleepover.

brother's Alex and Thomas with their cousin baby Madison

Alex (9 1/2)

Thomas (6 1/2)

On Saturday Courtenay came for lunch with her gramma Lyn and Grampa Norman.

niece Courtenay (10) with baby Madison
On Friday baby Madison and her brother Sebastian came for a sleepover. We watched a couple of movies too. (Buzz Lightyear)

she's such a happy baby

Sebastian and baby Madison

Sebastian (8)