What a bunch of KNobs!! At least these ones are useful!!

Part of being in the Great White North means owning big coats, warm scarves, hats and/or toques ! As organized as some people manage to be...I'm not among the best for sure!!. Last yr I did a good purge, got some nice big baskets to put up top in the closet. Which works great ....during the warm months! But as soon as winter hits...well.....

basically a mess ensues in short order! I'm too short to deal with the basket back and forth. Scarves end up stuffed into sleeves or thrown on anything that will hold it there ..barely... So I started thinking.....I want a better way!....I have a small entry...but as I stood looking at the mess I heard a PPSSSSSSTTTT! from the small wall facing the mirrored closet ...

A blank canvas! I can have some fun! So the cranks started to turn as to how to make hats and scarves easily accessible and fun to look at. But I also wanted something that looked good during the summer months when all those things are put back in the basket in the closet. (who wants to see wool scarves and hats during hot and humid temps!

I started to accumulate bits and pieces as my idea started to germinate ...First though...I had to paint the top part of that wall the same red as my living room...that boring beige was driving me nuts anyway...

then all the other painting began...

                                                                 White then Black

and finally assembly begins...

I was so impatient. I had to wait a few days for all those layers of paint to dry!! But it was worth the wait!

Now was time to figure out where to put what ...I can't tell you how many times I changed things around! Then promised myself I was done.....no wait...this with that looks better... too much white over there...but if I add this to that I need to change over here.........you get the picture!!......

But finally, with Chris' help we got all the pieces screwed in and ready to dress up or down depending on the season! We love how it turned out if I do say so myself! Next summer I can see a straw hat thrown up there with an umbrella or two...or like now, I see some of the beautiful scarves I have to choose from. Some are precious gifts given to me or made for my be friends and family! I love that they can be seen now as much for their practical use as their special beauty!

                                                                          VOILA

 

JUST THROW IT UP HERE...

Lets do a BEFORE

 

After

 

So there you have it....My knob wall. Something practical and pretty all year round ...

What do you think?

 

 

 

 

Saddly Snubbed but for the Actions of Another..

We hadn't been there for a good while. So we were happy to return to our favourite breakfast place today. During the past cpl yrs, we were always warmly greeted by the owner. He always took the time to chat and exchange pleasantries. This came about because we had a mutual friend. Who happened to be the one who recommended this place to us. Over that time we have brought countless ppl there to eat and recommended it to many others. The food is always good there, I  happily admit.

Today there was no Bonjour, no pleasantries, no smile, not even a courteous nod. Today was as if he had never met us before. Better yet... we were the next cpl up in the waiting line to be seated... but he gave the next table to the ppl behind us instead.  Which was ok , we were in no hurry and they had a small child with them. But this was an obvious snub. We were quiet and waited. When Chris went to pay later, he never made eye contact, or said a word. It was blatant and rude.

and such a pity.

I shouldn't feel hurt by the actions of someone who is just an acquaintance and certainly not worthy of that kind of emotion but ...It smarted nonetheless. We didn't deserve to be treated that way.

Especially given the reason why.
The mutual friend....

The crux of the story...

Earlier this yr , as some know. I hurt my back terribly. I was flat on my back in the worst pain I have ever felt in my life. Unable to do anything at all. For a cpl of weeks! Chris was my hero! He cared for all four of our live in clients with special needs AND Me!

I had what I thought , was a very close friend for a cpl yrs. Who happened to be a very good massage therapist. I liked her a lot I truly believed we were good friends.. I was always there for her. Late night calls about her relationship probs...staying with us when she needed space. Sounding board for all her woes, invited to all our get togethers yada yada like friends are. We also encouraged her with her career. I hired her often to come with her table , as much for me, as for any guests that came to visit us. Never expecting to pay less then others. As it should be. She worked on me often when I had neck and arm problems.

Then I hurt my back...

The 1st week ... she was booked up. But thought maybe she could fit me in the next Tuesday?
I was a bit flummoxed to be honest. I was demoted to meer client status. Friendship not surpassing business hours?

 I was deeply hurt. She was the one friend who could have made a huge difference in my condition or at the very least, be cause for some relief . She also knew how much pain I was in. But then asked if I could go to her when we had no sitter and I couldn't sit up to drive ! It hadn't even occurred to her to come here , after business hours. That I would have paid for anyway!

 So I was hurt. But I kept it to myself until one evening , exhausted from the pain and miserable about this, I just started to say her name to Chris...

Who immediately said...I CAN NOT BELIEVE we called her a friend! Seriously a friend would have been there as soon as possible to try to help. Like you've been for her over and over again. Not to mention that we would have paid her anyway! Just makes me sick...

I decided then, that I would just walk away....Who needs friends like that? We choose who we surround ourselves with. Friendship isn't one sided. It's not always about one person. Sometimes the other one needs help. Another week later, I got one message asking if everything was ok, she sensed something.

Didn't reply, just walked away. Needed to put all my energy toward trying to get better over the summer. Physiotherapy and massage therapy by a stellar professional who Chris and I really appreciate.

Never heard from her again... in the last 6 months since.....which is perfect.

Fast forward to today.

She obviously told the restaurant owner we weren't friends anymore. Why? Who knows.  Have to wonder what was said to merit such distain. But I certainly can't blame him for taking his friends side of things, since he hardly knew us...
What I do blame him for is being a total jerk to two ppl he knows little about!
Most of us have been guilty of blind loyalty for friends in our lifetime . But in a professional/business manner, any mature person would have politely greeted us and showed us to a table. Not only to act like an adult, but to smartly ensure we continued to patronize his establishment. We would not have been the wiser lol...Our money is just a drop in the bucket but each drop is the sum of many....

Needed to Vent that today....

JOYEUX NOEL - 2013 Yr in review...Sit down, this could take a while...

 

So, I turned 50 for the first time this year. I know many friends and family have traversed this milestone, as there are many not far behind me.
Kudos to those who survived it! To you others, gleefully anticipating half a century hood .... wait your turn. It will come soon enough believe me! So far it feels like my warranty ran out! Things just started to break ! My neck seized up, my arms got rusty, the back axel jammed so the forward thrusters prohibited movement!! Scotty! She's breaking up! ...I'm doing everything I can captain!!
  It's been quite the year to say the least. To say much more would take too long so I'll share just some so we can all get through this as painlessly as possible. This time last year, Chris was on work leave due to a debilitating allergic reaction to the very products being developed at his workplace. He'd been working there 2 yrs. Most of this yr was spent seeing specialists & having tests done that determined the exact cause was in fact the workplace. Here's an example of said tests...

The latter part of the yr was working with workmans compensation to figure out new career paths for the future in order to avoid similar problems. Being a chemist by trade has made for some interesting alternatives and thinking out of the box. We chose from the beginning to treat all of this with the most optimistic attitude. A new opportunity that will eventually open doors to a great job he may not have considered before. In the mean time, it's been terrific to have him home...HONESTLY!

 We tackled some big projects around the house like repainting our bedroom & ensuite ( seen here ) if you care to check it out.
Then we repainted one of the other bedrooms (here).

Then came My 50th ...YAY?..I've honestly never been bothered by birthdays. Au contraire, I look forward to each one like a little girl....Except this one! For some reason or maybe 50 reasons, this one bothered me and it really bothered me that it bothered me! Oy, what a bother!

So I was determined to celebrate it because? Well because, I didn't feel like celebrating it. I promise not to repeat celebrate 4 times in a sentence. Anyway, I decided to surround myself with friends and family I adore and use this opportune time to just have a great party! Besides any *project* gets me fired up. It was time to have fun...

 In April we welcomed a new client. He is another high needs client who is also autistic. I'd never had the challenge of working with an autistic client but it didn't take to long for him to fit right in and I'm learning how best to deal with his needs . He's become part of the gang now which makes 4 live in clients. So we are at full capacity now, which is what we hoped for.

We then tackled the deck (here) and had some fun assembling recycled finds to make this (here), (here), (here), (here), (here) and yes even (here) and wow (here) & (here) too! Me thinks I figured out that I had to keep both Chris & I busy this yr...

Then in June it was our 7th wedding anniversary and Chris' birthday. We decided to take a mini 4 day vacation to Quebec city.

 A lovely spa hotel was exactly what we needed to relax and regenerate! Good food and better company! It was even a big Garage Sale weekend! Nirvana! I swear I could hear Angels singing! We piled so much crap (I call them treasures) in our vehicle we had to calculate how our suitcases would fit for the trip home! INCLUDING a whole 5 pc log set for the yard that we planned to pick up Monday morning before heading back home. I had special plans for this set, that would eventually have to wait but I did get it done! (here) Our whole weekend was perfect, UNTILL !...Yes there's a BUT coming.
On the Sunday, Chris' bday, for a great treat, we had massages scheduled. My lower back was tender so I asked her to focus on that area. It was truly lovely! I was a bit sore at the end, to be expected but by the time we made it back to our room, I could barely walk. By the time I laid down, I could barely move! I was TOAST!
 It was horrible, I have never felt that kind of pain before. Next morning, Chris had to go pick up the log set by himself and tie it up on the roof of our vehicle (with the help of the 80 yr old lady who sold it to us!) ironically she was way more help then I could have been! Needless to say the 3 hr drive home was an adventure! We drove straight to my doctors office and the following 2 weeks I was flat on my back unable to do anything except be so very thankful that circumstances lent to Chris being home and able to take care of all our guys and me. What a trooper he is! I hate to think of how things would have been had he not been off work!!

Over the summer I slowly got better with physiotherapy and by fall I was taking long walks on the wooded path behind our house. What a joy that has been, especially with the CANON Chris surprised me with for my birthday. Constantly around my neck on every walk. You never know what you'll come across either to inspire a new project, or make you go HMMM?

Speaking of projects, those who know me, know I usually have my hands in something. I've made a few things like  soap , salts and jewelry in the past and even sold quite a few. This yr was no different except with Chris' whole allergy thing, my focus started to change. I started delving into making more natural products. I became fascinated with the whole DIY culture of home products containing less chemicals etc. The more I researched the more I wanted to make. My friends got all sorts of balms, deodorants, lotions and potions, creams and salves, raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens and warm woolen mittens, brown paper packages tied up with strings, these are a few of my favorite things...OH! OOPS! I digress...got carried away being surround by Christmas Twinkles sitting next to the tree drinking my Bailey's Coffee.

 Anyway, As my need for ingredients & supplies began to grow I needed a place to store it all. Chris and I built the perfect place in our office downstairs. It became known as my Apothecary Closet. A true thing of beauty! Click on the photo to see more...

 

 I needed to learn more. I was already being called the resident Witch so why not get better at it. So when a year long course on making natural & therapeutic products at the Montreal Botanical Gardens became available I was thrilled! I'm absolutely loving it.

 That said...let me preface this by saying....boy oh boy going back to school at 50 is like telling a retired horse to run a race after 30 yrs...especially when he wasn't much of a runner in the first place!!

 

These first 4 months of classes have been all theory...From the ancient history of plants and essential oils to their biochemical structures and synoptique tableau. Now fatty acids and carbon atoms are one thing but knowing which ones are monoterpenols, sesquiterpenols or aldehydes terpeniques which all relate to their specific and beautifully therapeutic properties to just name a PHEW!.....Yeah, I can't believe I just typed that sentence either! .........It's all a whole other ball of wax! Oh and of those? There are MANY being studied too!

It's all absolutely fascinating but certainly more detailed then I thought, especially taking this course in French !! OUFFF!! As bilingual as I am with French, I never went to school in French (apart from our perfunctory little French classes in school, You know the " Bonjour, Comment ca va? Je m'appelle ......., ) I think I've just forgotten my own name with this studying! So to capitulate these ten dollar words in chemistry I'm learning are worth at least $20 in French!! Basically my brain is MUSHHHH! This break from classes for Christmas will hopefully help regenerate me for the next 6 months when the real fun begins and we start to put all this theory into practice making beautiful creams, soaps and even makeup!
My hope is that this time next yr, my logo ALBA-MOON ALCHEMIE will have a line of therapeutic products that are beautifully rich in emollients using essential oils and ingredients that are free from harmful chemicals unlike most of the products we find on the shelves today.
This next year will undoubtedly hold new adventures. I look forward to seeing what it brings.
Our girls Cleo and Mahault are still in University and living in Montreal. Mahault has a few more yrs to go in Sexology & Cleo is only a few credits shy of her BA in Scenography so next yr she only has to take one elective to finish it off. In the meantime she's now able to do more hours working in an Atelier that makes all sorts of great builds using many different mediums. Like park stools for NY city, a glass sculpture light fixture for a newly opened Birks Jeweler on the north shore to name a few. It's great building experience for her although she's the lone female in the workshop!

It's been quite the year for sure. I'm kind of hoping the next one will be a little less eventful but even if it is, I'm sure we'll take it in stride and always find the silver lining.

From Our home to yours, we wish you all a Joyeux Noel and a very Happy New Year. May your wishes for 2014 come true! OXOX