Beading Fun

Oh I had such a good time making coloured beads today. Black with with a bit of gold leaf in them, a pale pastachio bead started the basis for a clip on earring for Viola the queen of clip ear...rings! I just hope I can make em big enough! Then I thought now I'll polish those beads...got out the Christmas dremmel. This virgin tool got quite a work out tonight. There is still a bit of experimenting going on so I'll have to update with pictures when there is something worth while to show. As they say in the business, film at eleven!

I should have been baking up a storm for stitch n bitch...but instead here I was baking polymer beads. Yes this Wednesday is my turn to host stitch n bitch. I love stitch n bitch. One of the best things I do in the course of a week. It is something we all look forward to. What a great group of women!

Farewell Miss Tiffany

I was checking my last few post today and realized that on my profile I still had my two kitties Tiffany and Angel listed....and then I felt so sad.

You see poor Miss Tiffy went to kitty heaven on August the 5th. After a year of watching her go into a different direction my 16 year old friend finally let me know that she had had enough. She just couldn't go another day.

I feel that I was quite lucky to have had Miss Tiffany as a feline friend for many of the most important things in my life. She was quite the kitty friend. I held her in my hand on the day she was born. At that time I had never had my own cat. I'd go to see my horses at the farm and out would come the playful kitty, a bright eyed little tabby with such a sweet personality. By the time she was about 4-5 months old her owner suggested that I had better take her home since she was always searching me out. I'd be standing there watching Melissa ride Rocket our little bay, and there would be the little tabby ... running across the yard to the track ... then before you could reach down to pick her up she'd be half way up my pant leg on her way up to my shoulder. There she would sit! Looking at rocket and then looking at me. I think she used to send mental messages...'take me home, take me home!" So I did. She adopted me! Bandit my blue eyed siberian husky wasn't impressed. But Tiffany was. She'd sit in the arm of the chair in the living room, and take a swipe at Bandit as he'd walk by. She was the boss!

She was a great kitty companion. She was always with me. When I was going though trials, she was there. She had an uncanny way of communicating. She was perceptive, and I swear that she could read my mind. I could call her quietly in my head, and she would come running.

I was very blessed to have had this precious kitty in my life. I think of her often and miss her very much. She had been holding on for as long as she could and finally we both knew when the time had come. I sadly held my kitty as she drew her last breath. Thank God we are able to gently relieve their suffering, so that they may die with their dignity intact. My friend Tiffany deserved that.

Well Miss Tiffany, you were loved by us so much, you were also a wonderful teacher of unconditional love.

Farewell Miss Tiffy you were the best!

Canadian Thanksgiving

When the weather starts to get a little crisp especially in the morning...I have to think about Thanksgiving. I love the fall. Perhaps it has to do with trying to stay young at heart.

To me the fall has always been the start of new things. School, thinking about Halloween (fun if you're a kid), groups start up again after a summer break, the leaves start to turn golden, or red...oh the smell of fall. Then there is also the long weekend that we think about all the things we are thankful for.

The crops are now in. The turkeys are in the stores waiting to be selected by mom the cook. Families are wondering what they are going to do this weekend...close the cottage, get together with the clan, clean up the yard or perhaps start a new family tradition. Maybe we are getting together with our kids and grandchildren for a nice home cooked dinner. "Don't forget to cook turnip mom, turkey dinner just isn't right without the turnip!" Peter reminds ol' Mom.

It's the time of year that we are thankful for the love in our family. Everyone is doing not too bad, we are happy that we have one another. We think about what has happened through out the past year. We are lucky to have one another.

I'm grateful for wonderful children, grand children, a good husband, great inlaws who couldn't be any nicer and terrific friends. Could I be any luckier? I don't think so.

Wishing you all a happy Thanksgiving. May the day be of special significance to you.

I also have to think of the late Sam, my father in law. The 9th would also have been your birthday. I'm sure that Sam and my mom and dad have surely met in heaven by now...they would be so happy to know that we are all ok, and that we think of you often and give thanks to you for so much. God bless you all.

I'm reminded of Thanksgiving back in 1968 when my the father of my children and I were invited to visit friends in Long Island for Thanksgiving. Well the long weekend started to approach, we loaded up our 2 year old son, and started on the 10 hour trip to Levittown. The weather was terrific, the colours were starting to turn, what a beautiful drive to see our friends. Only to arrive at 4:30 on Friday to an empty house. Not a person in sight. To make a long story short, they weren't expecting us until November you know American Thanksgiving. What did we know way back then. That slight oversight never happened again. We camped out till Janet and Larry arrived home from work. What a surprise, those cannuks sure love thanksgiving. lol Never did I ever make that mistake again.

Yes every year I think of my American friends, and think let's celebrate again in November.

Have a terrific weekend everyone.

Midge the Bear

This is Midge the Bear dark purple poncho accented with her violet hat and scarf, oh yes and her purse of course .

These minatures are a favorite of the little granddaughters. You know how they love to play with their dollies. Midge is only 7 inches tall.

Today was another wonderful day with the girls as we do our usual Stitch'n Bitch on Wednesday afternoon.

We really look forward to getting together for these enlightening afternoons. We stitch, drink coffee, solve all the problems of the world, learn new kniting techniques and have a terrific time in the name of 'sisterhood'!!! These weekly get-to-gethers do us the world of good. Better than therapy anytime! I love and admire you, each and every one of these sister! Can't wait till next week.

Little Caleb is Home

We are so relieved to hear that my nephew's baby Caleb who was born on July 27th, is now home for the first time since his birth and subsequent heart surgery. When I spoke to his mom Joy she told me that he was 'doing so well that they were letting him go home.'

Well Caleb little one, we are so happy for you and your parents. Your family is looking forward to seeing you at home. Wishing you well, and sending lot's of love, light and hope to the young family!!!!

Caleb The New Baby

Hi everyone,

The Spaans side of the family has a new baby.
His name is Caleb Steven Spaans, born Thursday, July 27th 2006, weighting
7 pounds, 3 ounces, and measuring 19 inches long. His proud parents are Steven and Joy Spaans. Steven is my nephew, my brothers son.

At first all seemed well, although the little man arrived two weeks early, he looked quite strong, nice colour, perfect in every way. But by Friday afternoon the immediate joy this little bundle had brought was wrought with anxiety. It appeared that the little one had a problem with his heart.

He was immediately taken to the NICU unit to be examined and tested by specialists. Toronto Sick Childrens hospital had been alerted and by 5:30 the transport team from Sick Kids had arrived. By 7 p.m. all had departed for Toronto to have Caleb admitted to Sick Kids for further examination and treatment.

He will be having heart surgery on Tuesday morning for correct a faulty valve. We will be thinking of you little one. May you rest well tonight. I pray to God that he will hold you in his loving arms and protect and comfort you as you go through this surgery. Please comfort his parents as they await the completion of a successful surgery for their baby son. Guide the doctors and the medical team as they perform their life saving work on Caleb. I thank you God for listening to my prayers, please give me the wisdom to help Steven and Joy through this difficult time.

If you are reading this...please take a moment to send a positive thought to this little one.

Take another moment to hug your child, read them a story...remember a magical moment you shared with your child.
Thank God for our family and friends who are there for each other.

Love, light and hope always,
Catrinka

It's About Time!

Hi everyone,

Yes it's about time I wrote another post.
Yesterday was Stitch and Bitch, and what a wonderful time was had by all.
We have a new member! Judy C will be a wonderful addition to the S&B crew!

Haylee my granddaughter asked last night ..."can I join your club Oma if I learn how to knit?" Isn't it wonderful when these precious little ones come out with such questions! Well of course honey, your little sister is already practising the name of the group. lol! She's working on an orange bag (purse) for her Oma!

I tell ya, when we get together the creative juices start to flow. Isn't it amazing how a bunch of grown up girls can have so much fun laughing like little girls, make beautiful things, and connect with each other. Whow what a lucky girl I am.

Thank you girl friends for such a good time,

could't do it without you!

Luv, Cat