Hello

I have been neglecting this place as of late, I know. I have been busy keeping my daughter company and comfortable while she is going through a difficult medication change... Some days are diamonds and some are rocks. The door is sometimes open and sometimes blocked, but I'm learning not to take thing personally at this time of change and have been just going with the flow and offering comfort and support when needed.

I wish I could post in more detail about what is going on with The Girl right now, but at this point in time she isn't ready to share certain aspects of her personal life with all who visit my little corner of blogland; perhaps when she is feeling better she will allow it. I truly believe that talking about her personal experiences with mental health could help others who may be going through something similar or know of someone who is.

I would like to thank you all for you kind words of encouragement you leave behind either in my inbox or in the comment area. I am always amazed at the kindness you readers show -I feel so very lucky. Thank you!

**************

On my down time here at home, I have been finding being creative has been a helpful refuge for me. I've been creating a lot of collage work and making some Photoshop brushes that I hope to share on here tomorrow. Check back if your a Photoshop user, there just might be something in my brushes you might find interesting enough to download and use on your own art collages.

{here is a sneak peek}

Follow my blog with bloglovin

You had me at Caramel!

Out of the mouths of babes oft times come gems

Looking though old photo albums...

Niece J:  {points to an old photo taken at the beach}

What is that thing beside your towel?

Me:  That is a transistor radio. That is how we listened to our music.

Niece J:  *giggles* Auntie, iPods looked really funny in the olden days!



Photo credit: Ghetty Images

A few of my favourite things

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens...

The Sound of Music was always a Holiday tradition when the kids were little. The kids and myself would gather in the living room, all decked out in our comfy-est jammies, hot chocolate and cookies handy, excited to watch the movie. The kids would curl up and watch the movie while hubby and I decorated the tree. I'm not sure why The Sound of Music was classified as a "Christmas movie", but for some reason it was always on TV during the holidays and a seasonal favourite nonetheless.
I miss those days...

This year we all gathered at home to decorate the tree but "The Sound of Music" wasn't what the kids chose to watch, it was "A Hunting in Connecticut". A big -Bah-Humbug- to them!!

{Christmas 2009 Tree}

Today I was thinking about how much I miss some of the little holday tradition from when the kids were younger. So I compiled a list of my favourites from Holidays past.

1. Christmas Concerts
2. Christmas light watching
3. Kids homemade gifts
4. Letters to Santa
5. Listening for Elves or Reindeer
6. Making tree ornaments
7. Baking 10 different kinds of cookies
8. Making the gingerbread house
9. Singing Christmas carols
10. Holiday Movies ( The Grinch, Frosty, Rudolf - The Island of Misfit Toys, Home Alone, Christmas Vacation, It's A Wonderful Life, Sound of Music,  )

What are some of your favourite Holiday traditions or favourite traditions from your past?

Birthday Week x 3

This week is what is referred to in our house as, "Birthday Week". My two girls and myself all have a birthday a day apart. My youngest daughter's birth date is the 19th, my oldest birth date is the 20th and mine is the 21st... how about that for a busy birthday week! Just imagine how hectic birthday week was when the girls were younger and wanted birthday parties... Now the girls are older, they just pick a day to celebrate our birthdays all together. This year we are celebrating our 17th, 22nd and *whisper* 42nd, with a brunch at our house on Sunday with our closest family members and friends - Can't wait!

In honor of our birthdays, I'm giving away one of my favourite gifts I like to get as well as give.  It's a little goodie package of my favourite bath products from Lush.  Also, who can enjoy a luxurious bath without some delicious smelling candles from Clair de Lune.

If you want a chance to win, all you have to do is leave a comment telling me how you like to celebrate your birthday. All followers of Slightly Off-Center will get a second entry  (just be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry).  I will randomly choose a winner one week from today on November 25th.  Good luck everyone and can't wait to read through all your comments!

(No global restrictions. Must be 18 years or older. Contest winner will be chosen using BuzzMyBlog Contest Winner Picker)

» Read the small print «

* Please make sure your blog profile has your email address enabled or leave your email (like ghettojack [at] gmail [dot] com) or blogs address in the comments or you can send me your email addie if you would prefer not to have it published.

* You must be 18 or older to enter.

* No global restrictions apply. If you have a mailing address you are eligible to enter.

* Winner will be contacted via email to get their address.

* Entering the contest grants permission to post your blog address, State/Provence/Territory of where you are from. If you don't have a blog, your first name and your State/Provence/Territory of where you are from will be posted.

* Winner will have 48 hours from the date the winner is announced on this blog (I will send the winner notification via email) to claim your prize by emailing me with your mailing address or I will have to choose another winner.

* Winner is chosen using the BuzzMyBlog Contest Winner Picker.

* I am not responsible for any lost or misdirected mail.

* By entering this contests you are agreeing to all of the above.

Contest is Closed

Bonding Moments (craft night)

Saturday night bonding time with my two girls... lucky me!

This is what we made:

Instruction for DIY Coasters

Ps.  This was my oldest daughters idea.  She called on Friday night to ask if we could spend Saturday evening together making a craft.  love Love LOVE ♥

When You Wish Upon A Jar

“I believe in wishes and in a person's ability to make a wish come true, I really do. And a wish is more than a wish... it's a goal that your conscience and sub conscience can help make reality.” ~ Michael Jackson

{click photo for full view}

I had two of my nieces with me for the day on Friday, so I decided a craft would be a great distraction on such a dreary day. I had just purchased a bunch of glitter, tags, ribbon and other craft supplies earlier in the week so I had everything that we needed to make our Wish/Dream Jars. I think they both did an exceptional job.

The youngest wanted her jar to be a "Dream Jar" and her sister wanted to keep all her special wishes inside hers. We were all covered in glue and glitter by the end of the afternoon and I had a huge mess to clean up, but it was all so worth it seeing their finished project and seeing the joy on both their faces.

I got the idea after reading an interview with Artist and author Keri Smith who also writes the blog The Wish Jar.

Make your own Wish/Dream/Inspiration Jar:

Mason Jar, clear glass canister, coffee can...
Double sided tape
Craft glue
Glue gun (glitter glue sticks)
Glitter
Ribbon
Dried/Silk flowers
Butterflies
Labels
Glass beads
Wire
Shells
Sand
Feathers
Found objects
*Dreams, Wishes and/or Desires
Have fun!

Inspirational links - Achieve your goals with a Wish Jar , Everyone needs a Wish Jar , Secret Wish Jar

Mom of the Year!

I'm so very lucky for all the wonderfully creative people who visit my blog daily. Your comments are always welcome and you all inspire me to become more creative. I always appreciate the awards that are given to me too, they make me feel extra special.

Yesterday I was lucky enough to receive this award from a very busy mommy blogger who I admire very much, Amber over at Mommy Mania. Thank you Amber!!

Like most awards - there is a little extra assignment that go along with the lovely honor:

1) Admit that ONE thing you feel awful about involving being a mom. Get it off your shoulders. Once you've written it down, you are NO LONGER allowed to feel bad. It's over with, it's in the past. Remember, you're a good mom!

2)To remind yourself that you ARE a good mom, list SEVEN things you love about your kids, you love doing with your kids, or that your kids love about you. These are the things to remind yourself of EVERY DAY that you rock!

3)Send this to FIVE other Moms of the Year that deserve forgiveness and a reminder that they, too, are the best moms they can be!!! Remember to send them a note to let them know you've selected them, and add a link to the person who nominated you!"

My Answers:

1. Well my kids are older, 16, 19, 21 and are pretty independent now, but when I look back to when they were little I always felt bad when I had to discipline them by taking something they liked away for a period of time or sending them to their room. It didn't happen all that often, but it always made me feel horrible.

2.

• My kids are equally smart and talented
  
• I'm proud of them and think they make great choices every day
• I love when we can all be home for a family day/night
• I think they are proud of the way they were raised
  
• I'm proud of the young adults they have become
• They are considerate and compassionate
• They are very close and have an amazing respect for one another

3. I'm not going to single out recipients this time, so I would like to give this award to everyone who visits my blog who is a mom -- you are all special to me and all deserve this award. Feel free to take it and display it on your blog

Wordless #19

Baby Girl's 16th Birthday Present
(Finally after 10 years of begging for a cat)

Visit Wordless Wednesday

Birthday Week

That’s right folks, this week is birthday week here at my house. It kicks off with the youngest 16th birthday on Wednesday, my oldest daughters on Thursday and finally mine is on Friday. Most years I look forward to birthday week; three different kinds of cake, lots of pop-ins from friends and family and all the gifts, but this week I am just not feeling it. My body has been invaded, yet again, by another bug which has left me feeling totally achy and blah. This year there will be no home make cakes and the family dinner celebrations will have to be postponed - I hope the girls will understand.

Tricks & Treats

All the Jack-O-Lanterns are carved and the treats are all ready for All Hallows Eve. I'm looking forward to seeing all the little ghosts and goblins running through the street with their bags full of loot.

1. Evil Jack (Mine) 2. Treats 3. Haunter (Baby girls)4. Treat boxes 5. Haunter & Jack 6. Set for Ghosts and Goblins

Autumn Fun Apple Picking

1. Priss, 2. Priss, 3. Priss & Hubby, 4. Reach!, 5. Orchard Path, 6. Apples, 7. Priss & Bunny, 8. Priss & Goats, 9. Goats, 10. Peacock, 11. Future Jack-O-Lanterns , 12. Two Seater, 13. Bay of Fundy

Weekend Update with Photos

What was suppose to be a family outing apple picking, turned out to be only part of the family. Baby girl and The Boy had other plans and weren't able to make it but we had a great time with just the three of us.

I will keep trying to get us all together for a family outing - eventually the kids will all tire of my nagging and give in.

She's flown from the nest

A little slow with the updates this week, it was a hectic weekend with the big move and all. I never realized that my daughter had so much stuff crammed in one bedroom but she did. We managed to get her all moved and set up in the new apartment over the course of three days. So far, Priss seems very excited about her new adventure, being out on her own for the first time — but I think she will miss us after the novelty of "living alone" wears off. Me, I'm not quite at peace with it all just yet. I'm wondering how long before this empty feeling goes away, or if it ever will...

Wordless #3

Do you remember when you were a kid?

A cardboard box could be imagined into anything...

A secret lair hidden dark underground,
a space rocket that could fly you to the moon in only 5 minutes,
or a Pirate ship that would take you on a wild adventure in under an hour.

The possibilities were endless

Visit Wordless Wednesday