thejoyof

What I've Been Up To!

2009-10-15T07:46:00.005-04:00

Oh my gosh, you're probably wondering why I have been soooo mia lately! Well, Janet and I have been busy with moggit and can now talk about the top secret project we've been working on...

We've been working with hgtv.com on a fun new web video series!! So exciting-- come and check it out here!

August Update

2009-08-05T08:37:00.009-04:00

How is your summer going? Here we have been inundated with rain, rain - and hey, you might as well throw some more rain in for good measure!

However, having said that, we just recently celebrated my parents 50th anniversary and we were so thankful that we had a sunny Saturday for it (after literally 5 straight weekends of rain)

(Why this picture was taken at the end of the day, I don't know - but I look like I've been through the wringer! Well, it was 100+ degrees that day...)

We had a huge outdoor party for them and fed approx. 100 people! My parents had such a lovely time and that was the icing on the cake for us...:)

In other news...

My bff and I have been so blessed with our new project moggit! Guys, we have such exciting news to share - you won't believe it! It's top secret for now but soon we will be able to spill. I can tell you that we just got back from Toronto where we embarked on a completely new adventure. Here is a teensy hint:

Also, we were interviewed by one of Canada's largest newspapers and that should be out in print in a few weeks. The readership of this paper is somewhere aroud the 6 million mark so that should definitely bring some more readers to our site.

It has been a whirlwind for us lately and we are so grateful for all of the opportunities that have presented themselves. We simply couldn't be happier!

Life is good... :)

xo

p.s. My nephew Colin is doing great!

Woah, Time Flies!

2009-05-27T18:40:00.007-04:00

It's been sooo long since I've posted that I don't even know if anyone will see this! ('cept for Sandy - thanks for the note!) Things have been crazy here what with my new website moggit and so much more. Also, I turned the big 4-0 on May 23rd and got the best present ever - a new step granddaughter!

Her name is Olive Lily - isn't she sweet?

Wilbur says "hey" and is still a going concern. The squirrels keep him busy and he is lovin' life!

Thought you'd enjoy a pic of the new Oma and Opa! lol

Hope all is well with you and yours...xoxoxoxo

More Polyvore....

2009-04-01T15:10:00.002-04:00

I've always wanted to go on safari!

Safari by moggit girls featuring Sam Edelman shoes

If You've Got 'Em, Use 'Em

2009-03-07T13:42:00.003-05:00

I came across a huge stash of old millinery flowers at a flea market last summer and decided to not just tuck them away but to use them...

I had to go to a baby shower today so I used this fab crushed velvet gift bag... (from the Dollar Store!!)

And paired it with this large Carrie-like blossom.

The were destined to be together!

I love it when it doesn't cost a fortune to make a present look extra special. That's priceless. :)

Lovely As it May Be....

2009-03-04T17:34:00.002-05:00

There's no place like home! (I'm happy to be back)

The Joy{s} of ... Going on Holiday!

2009-02-15T09:45:00.014-05:00

It's that time of year again...when we take off for some fun in the sun. For the past several years we have been travelling with family and I tell ya, that's the way to do it. It is so nice to be surrounded by the ones you love on holiday.

Even though my Dad suffered a stroke last October and is still a bit weak, he was bound and determined to get out of the cold. So, Mom and Dad booked a vacay and we followed suit. For the past few years we have travelled like this due to weddings and we always have a blast. A lot of our extended familiy members also join us. Here are my parents a few years ago waiting for a flight...{the couple that reads together stays together - they will be married 50 years this July!}

You meet the nicest people on holiday! We met Betty and Dalmer on our first family trip 9 years ago in the Dominican. They are from Sakatchewan and are so much fun! We've kept in touch over the years knew we would someday meet up again.

This is how small my kiddies were on that first trip - Ellie was just 2! They have always been fabulous to travel with, we are lucky. Were they not sweet? :) I could eat them up!

Finally we were reunited with Betty and Dalmer 9 years later for my brother's wedding in Punta Cana in 2007. We had an absolute blast with them and they fit right in!

This is the whole crew that travelled with us that year....

One year later my Uncle got married in Puerto Plata and we all joined in for that too... (Ellie's 4th kick at the can for being a flower girl)

Betty and Dalmer joined us again for that - they really are like family now...

There's always such fun to be had on holidays...this is hubby and Jack having the time of their lives!

And of course a couple of cold ones never hurt, right?

And a night out alone with hubby is always fun - with all those built-in babysitters, why not?! I even got lucky that night. {head out of the gutter - I won $300 at the black jack table - lol}

People always ask me if I am scared for taking the kids out of school for two weeks...I say they will learn more in a different country than they ever would sitting at their desk. But, we do bring homework as evidenced below. This is Ellie and hubby getting down to the nastiness of math. Doesn't she look thrilled? ;)

So, we are off early next week for another adventure. I promise to send lots of sunshine your way!

Hola amigos!

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-13T18:14:00.003-05:00

Wilbur and Girffin share an Eskimo kiss...

Back by Popular Demand

2009-02-09T15:58:00.005-05:00

{this is a repeat of a post I had done last year...}

Things I Know For Sure...

· If you think the plate in the microwave is too hot to handle, it is.

· The scissors are never where you left them. They lead a double life in Duluth.

· Just because they're cute, you should not wear your fabulous, new high heeled brown boots to the flea market.

· Kids are like dogs, they can smell hesitation. And you know what they say about 'he who hesitates'...

· Do not put down your keys when you are distracted. And already late to pick up the kids.

· The day you throw out that item you thought you would never use again? Yes, you will need it.

· Dollar Store items can add up real fast.

· When you turn on your hot glue gun, resign yourself to the fact that you will end up burning yourself before your job is done.

· "Just a minute" coming from a kid means they're not listening.

· Buying fancy underwear always seems like a good idea at the time but you'll always end up wearing your favorite good 'ol Hanes.

· You can count on the phone ringing during your fav show. During the really good part.· When you're bored out of your mind and really want to talk to someone, no-one answers the phone.

· If you're going to drive the kids to school in your p.j.'s, make sure you have enough gas.

· If the jeans you are trying on the in fitting room don't feel exactly right, they never will. No matter how 'on sale' they are.

· The moment you hop into the bathtub for a nice relaxing soak is the exact same moment your household will fall apart. All at once.

· Even if you live in a large house, if your dog throws up, you will end up stepping in it.

· When you find a great bra that you love - buy 20 of them

.and finally,

· If you're tired, and I mean REALLY TIRED, when you go to bed and your husband wants to "spoon" don't fall for it. "Spooning" only leads to one thing...

Forking.

One of Those Days...

2009-02-03T10:32:00.006-05:00

I'm having one of those days. A blah day. A 'meh' day. Ever have one of those? They suck.

This is all I've got today. Random shots from my house...

I'll be better tomorrow....

My Fav Superbowl Commercial

2009-02-02T07:57:00.002-05:00

It doesn't get better than this!

The Sartorialist...

2009-01-30T08:53:00.010-05:00

My new web obsession. A blog that celebrates fashion in a very simplistic, pure way. Scott Schuman is The Sartorialist. He started his {now famous} blog simply to share photos of people that he saw on the streets of New York, Milan, Paris - everywhere!

I have to say, as much as I am drawn to decor, I am drawn to fashion. The way it evolves, the way it is individually interpreted...

The Europeans have it in spades. They ooze fashion. They are born with it.

This blog is an ever-evolving feast for the eyes...

I just love the way fashion affects different people. This outfit would make me look like a dowdy 65 year old from Wisconsin. (no offence, Wisconsin) But somehow on her, it works. Why?

Because she believes in it.

In my younger days I used to chuckle under my breath when I saw a strange outfit on the street-- something beyond my realm. Now I appreciate it as art. It may not be art that I want hung on my walls but I can appreciate it nonetheless...

Even the very young get in on the action! (rock those hot pink leg warmers!)

Seriously, this is how I want to look when I am 50...

To check out this uber-fabulous blog and get lost in 'on the street' fashion simply click here.

*All photos courtesy of The Satorialist, Scott Schuman. (used with permission)

Shades of Silver

2009-01-27T07:27:00.003-05:00

My gosh it has been cold here lately! Not much else to do other than walk around with my camera and try to get inspired!

These are some shots from my bedroom where shades of silver abound...

I try to find beauty in the everyday...if you don't slow yourself down, you'll miss it.

It calms me down to try and see things in a different light or perspective...

The sunlight was streaming in my room that day and it cast a special glow...

Even though it was a nasty -31 with the wind chill I somehow felt warm and toasty.

Lose yourself in the everyday!

Happy Birthday Wilbur

2009-01-26T08:27:00.005-05:00

Three years old today!

My how he's grown - click here!

Are YOU Your Own Best Friend?

2009-01-23T19:52:00.006-05:00

I have been thinking...why are we women so tough on ourselves? Why can we not be our own best friend?

The thought occurred to me the other day when I was applying my make-up. I leaned in to the mirror for a closer look and didn't like what I saw...wrinkles, blemishes and more wrinkles. When did they become so apparent? Is my over-priced 'miracle' wrinkle cream even working? Ohmigosh, I am going to be 40 years old in May. I quickly finished 'painting the battleship' and went on to other things.

The dialogue continued in my head - it was negative. Why do we as women concentrate on the negative so much? Why are we so critical on ourselves? I thought of the outburst I had with my kids before they left for school. I felt bad for losing my cool and quickly wondered "Am I scarring my kids for life? Are they going to hate me?" Why, out of all the good that I do for my children do I concentrate and focus on these small bad blips on the radar?

Why can we not be our own best friend?

Why don't we comfort ourselves and dwell more on the positive like our best friend would do for us? If I was standing beside my best friend in front of the mirror and she voiced her concerns over her wrinkles the first thing I would do is try to make her feel better. Why can't we give ourselves that kind of support? I have called my best friend after losing it on my kids and she very prophetically 'talks me off the ledge'. She listens, commiserates and then assures me that I am in fact still a good mother. She also 'sees' my freak-out and 'raises' me an unruly conniption fit. That's what friends do.

The next time you are hard on yourself for whatever reason, try and be your own best friend. Get rid of those negative thoughts and concentrate on your positives. Don't needlessly pick on yourself...

Find a new wrinkle? Don't sweat it, there will be more. (Who wants to look like Joan Rivers anyway?) Yelled at the kids until your throat was sore? You won't scar them for life, promise!

No-one is perfect. Love the best friend within you. I assure you - she 'has your back'.

A friend is one who believes in you when you have ceased to believe in yourself.
Author Unknown

The Domino Effect

2009-01-23T10:00:00.007-05:00

Got lost in the web today! Domino magazine delivered the goods...just some design inspiration to get me through another cold dark day...

*all photos courtesy of dominomag.com

Can't wait for Spring!

Colin Update

2009-01-22T10:14:00.007-05:00

I was digging through my pictures the other day and found this one of me and my nephew Colin. (yes, I had big hair - courtesy of a perm, what of it?)

He was two years old here and a goin' concern! Every Sunday afternoon when the kids were little we used to go to my parent's house and sit outside on the porch. All of my siblings and their children would come and looking back now, I realize those were some of the best times of my life. I remember vividly Colin coming up to me that day reaching for my coffee as I was taking a sip...

"I lika cold coffee Aunty Joy!" he exclaimed.

"Yes, but this is hot Colin." I replied.

"Oh, I lika COLD coffee!" and off he skipped.

That was 16 years ago and I remember it like it was yesterday. Here we are two years ago...

My poor pet is STILL in the hospital in Edmonton battling Wegener's disease - an autoimmune disease that attacks the body from within. I flew out to Edmonton in early December to visit with him and his Mom and he is doing much better but still is battling this disease in a "one step forward, two steps back" kind of way.

A few days ago he had to have both of his lungs operated on and he is doing better - our goal is still to get him well enough so that he came fly home to Ontario. He will still need 2-3 months of hospitalization and therapy when he reurns but at least he won't be so far away and we can all visit him. We are hoping he can be transferred within a couple of weeks.

This child inspires me! I am so proud of him and his will to survive. He has been in intensive care since October 24th and rarely complains. I am in awe, truly. I want to thank everyone again for their prayers - it means the world to all of us....

My Dream Job!

2009-01-20T08:23:00.007-05:00

SYDNEY, Australia (AP) — Position: island caretaker. Duties: lazing around the Great Barrier Reef for six months. Salary: $100,000.

It sounds too good to be true, but the position is real. Calling it the “best job in the world,” Australian tourism officials say they are seeking someone to spend six months relaxing on Hamilton Island, part of the country’s Whitsunday Islands, while promoting the destination on a blog.

In exchange for the pay, a free stay in an oceanfront villa and airfare from the winner’s home country, the employee will be required to stroll the island’s white sand beaches, snorkel, maybe take a dip in the pool — and post photographs and videos of the experience on a weekly blog.

Want to apply? Here's where you do it!

Happy Birthday Sweetie!

2009-01-19T09:33:00.004-05:00

11 years old today - my how time flies. Seems like only yesterday I was screaming at your father on the way to the hospital to "DRIVE FASTER!!!!!"

She's such a card my Ellie. This photo was taken last year.... I was at my computer when she came into the room behind me with this mess in her hair. She always makes me laugh - I just love that about her!

With This Ring...

2009-01-16T09:15:00.005-05:00

Seriously, how cute is this?...

Source: perpetulakid.com

We featured it in That's So MOGG today. It's known as the 2 carat cup. Best of all, it comes packaged in a box that makes it look like you're actually getting a ring.

Looking at this ring reminded me of how my hubby proposed....

We were going away for the weekend and truth be told, I was hoping to be proposed to. On our way out of town we stopped for a coffee at our local Tim Horton's. (Starbuck's would be the U.S. equivilant) I was edgy and nervous and certainly not myself. Hubby got out (this is pre drive-thru days) to grab us a couple of coffees while I waited in the car. A few minutes later he returned with two coffees in hand, opened the driver's side door, fumbled with the coffees, suddenly dropped to one knee - half in/half out of the car - and thrust a beautiful box with a diamond ring in front of me. Needless to say I was surprised! And very, very happy.

We laugh about it now. I was proposed to in a Tim Horton's parking lot. Now that's romance people!

I love it though, it makes me smile every time I think of it. :)

That's A Lot of Blue!

2009-01-14T15:00:00.004-05:00

You either love this room - or you hate it...

Source: dominomag.com

See what Janet and I have to say about it here.

The Evolution of an Poster

2009-01-12T07:59:00.010-05:00

I loved these posters when I first saw them... they are reproductions of the original Keep Calm and Carry On posters produced by the English Ministry of Information in 1939.

Good advice, right?

Of course when you can never get too much of a good thing...why not make branch out and make other items while you're at it? This one might be a good reminder when you walk out the door to start your day...

Source: pedlars.co.uk

Ahhh, but then people got clever and mixed it up a bit...think the folks at Louis Vuitton would mind? It was very prophetic for 2008 I think...

Until the sh*t hit the fan. Clever artist Olly Moss decided to design another take on it...

Via: threadless.com

Hope this isn't what 2009 shapes up to be!

Bad Dog!

2009-01-08T09:27:00.005-05:00

Marley's got nothin' on Wilbur.

It hit me today when I was driving the kids to school. Wilbur hadn't run to the front door when we were leaving. What would keep him from trying to fandangle himself into getting a car ride? "Oh, no..." I thought. "Please, no." (Truth be told, I actually said "Oh, shit." under my breath.)

I remembered that I had left the garbage open. And I had just thrown out some mangy meat - meat that had well past its due date. I had also tossed out some jelly...and then there was last night's dinner scraps from the plates...

I knew it as soon as I got home and opened the door - he didn't jump on it like he usually does. A guilty face stared back at me and instantly I knew. (The dirty, sticky mess around his mouth was an obvious clue as well.) I stomped into the kitchen and he knew the drill - outside he went.

This dog KNOWS when he has done bad and hates it when I am cross with him. As I write this he is sitting on the couch behind me...

This is his "I am guilty - please forgive me Mom - I swear will never do it again" face. (I can't tell you how many times I've seen this.)

All I can say is - it's a good thing you're cute! Off now to prepare for the worst...I'm sure the best is yet to come. (This is where I remind everyone that Wilbur has a very sensitive stomach...)

Fav Projects from 2008

2009-01-07T08:57:00.008-05:00

The lovely Rhoda from Southern Hospitality is hosting a blog party - and features her Top 10 Projects from 2008. What a great idea! I thought I would share some of my favorite little projects from the past year...nothing too complicated cuz that's the way I roll!

"A Place in Time" - this is a fun way to display vintage photographs. Just gut an old clock - be sure and save the workings as you'll need to put them back in place to secure everything.

All those cast-off clock faces needed somewhere to go so this metal film reel case got a quick makeover...

I used old price tag stands to display my favorite ephemera...

This old stamp holder became a quirky vase once I found the test tubes to fit it...

I lined the inside of old sewing drawers with vintage ephemera and used them for storage on my desk...

These are also great in the kitchen!

An old chippy grate became a impromptu collage with the insertion of old photographs...

This old film reel got ready for its close-up with the simple addition of satin ribbon and a vintage clock face...

And finally, this old cardboard sign was a bonus in an auction box lot. I loved the old script and decided to frame it in a large ornate frame. Antique doctor's prescriptions became the matting and I used a paper tape measure to further set it off...

Hope you enjoyed these "romantic rescues" - have a wonderful Wednesday everyone!

Now We're Talkin'!

2009-01-06T08:29:00.005-05:00

Does this photo make your heart go pitter patter like it does mine?

Source: marthastweart.com

Click here to see it featured on *moggit's "If These Walls Could Talk"...