Busy Busy Busy

Did I say busy? You betcha! Why are you so busy you may ask... so here is why and the categories that they belong to...

Hi there, my name is Mommy:

Declan and I went to the home opener of the Toronto Marlies last night at Ricoh Coliseum. Although the team lost to the Binghamton Senators in the shootout (final score 2-1), a good time was had by all. We are season ticket holders - that's 40 regular season games. There are a lot of Sunday games this year which will be a challenge as Declan's games will be Sunday nights - so we will probably have to only go to first two periods in order to make it back for his own game. It was great to reconnect with other season ticket holders who we haven't seen all winter. Sharilynn and Mary from MWSL we there also and were kind enough to give us a ride home.

We gave Brent Aubin and Bianca Lajeunesse a present for their new baby, Kelly. We also saw Annette Pogge (Justin's mom) and Marci, his absolutely adorable girlfriend.

This is Brent and Declan.

Here we are with Justin and his playoff moustache. I am pleased to report that he has shaved it off!!!

We bought a Halloween gingerbread house and put it together this afternoon. That black icing looks gross and tastes...well, gross too! ugh!

I am beading fiend

I have a bunch of orders to fill for earrings, bracelets and earrings. The Markham Curling Club social committee has ordered a bunch of bracelets and earrings and I am happy that I found a cute charm of a rock and brooms. I have also been asked to do a make and take for Swarovski at the Creativ Festival. It is going to be a pair of earrings. They are beautiful. I will do a reveal after the sesssion, so as not to take away any thunder. I have been asked to teach at Bead Junction, but I am all booked up until January so look for me there, then. I have three classes (I think - maybe more) scheduled at beadFX - so check their website for the details. Hurry though, because the classes sell out fast. I was at beadFX with Ellie Peters and we had some fun. I had bought some beads of her Etsy site and she was kind of to deliver them. Talk about an enabler!! They are gorgeous little lampwork beads that I am going to use to make an assortment of earrings. Rosemary as always was a riot and promoting my classes in a slightly overly loud voice - gee was she trying to get my attention? What a hoot! I will also be teaching at techniques night in December for the TBS and teaching at the Bead Fair in November.

Queen of the Volunteers

I am the Volunteer Coordinator for the TBS and that also means that I coordinate the TBS booth at a variety of shows along with getting people to volunteer in it. The next show is next weekend at the Creativ Festival. Next week is also the Annual General Meeting of the Markham Women's Slo-pitch League. There is a movement afoot to nominate me for President of the League. Not showing up to the AGM is not an option. When I missed the TBS election meeting, I was still elected the Volunteer Coordinator. tee hee. I will be speaking to the Scarborough Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals about upcoming colour trends and jewellery fashion in November.

CineSiege

One of the major events for the Department of Film at YOrk University where I work full time is CineSiege. It is the showcase for the best student films of the previous year. There is an amazing amount of work, by a great team, in order to pull this event off. October 20 is the date of this year's fest and it will be taking place at the Royal Cinema.

Bahamas here I come:

Somewhere in the middle of all the craziness, I am heading to the Bahamas for a week for a softball tournament. Thirty-six players from Unionville and Markham leagues are heading down on October 23. We have a game the night we fly in!!! Three days of baseball and then four days of fun in the sun.

I think I am too busy to be excited. I have to focus and make to-do lists or I will become unhinged and spin completely out of control.

If the blog isn't updated daily for the next little while - you'll know why!

The Sporty Side of Life

Some of you may know that wire bead crochet is not the only passion in my life. I also play softball. This year I was originally playing in three leagues, but by the end of the season, I was down to one. I had a knee injury at a tournament this year and was out of commission for about 4 weeks - not fun! I play third base, but have been known to stand in the outfield hoping nothing comes my way. It's funny, I am fine playing the infield with balls coming at me at incredible speed at close range; it's the long hit ball drifted into the outfield that kind of freaks me out.

I play with the Markham Vets in the Markham Women's Slo-Pitch League. I also played for the Don Valley SPL and the York University SPL as well. I have been playing since 1994 and love it. They call me Pinky - because of my pink cleats and metallic pink shin guards that remind everyone of the Power Rangers.

This picture was taken at the MIST Tournament, where we came in 2nd. Notice the cute bat boy in the centre of the pic - my Declan!

I am headed to a tournament in the Bahamas on October 23 for a week. Woo-hoo! I am totally jazzed about going. Between the Unionville league and ours, there are 36 women going. No husbands, no boyfriends, no kids!!! Can you say HEAVEN!!!!

We held a euchre tournament Friday night to raise some funds for the trip and it was a successful event. We had loads of fun. Ambrose from the Bahamas Tourist Board came by with two jugs of Bahama Mama mix, a bottle of rum, some t-shirts and pins. If Jane ever makes a drink for you....be prepared!! Whoa! I think there was more rum in mine than mix. That is perhaps why I am looking a little goofy below. Perhaps that is why I won the booby prize for lowest score. After two pints of Coors Light and two Bahama Mamas - my math skills go right out the window.

What's trump again???

Mary and Stephanie

Joan, Paulette and PaulHenry - the big winner of the evening - he looks innocent, but trust cards in his hands are like a weapon!

Cathy and Kim. Cathy was the life of the tournament. She was also a prize winner. If you value your life - never play musical chairs with this woman. Don't let the white hair fool you!

Donna dealing and Suzanne counting cards!

Thanks to all who cam and supported our event!

Bead Oasis Prep

Ok, so I am home after a long day.... worked at my j.o.b., picked up Declan, came home, grabbed a suitcase full of jewellery, hit Wendy's for take-out, Staples for receipts, and hopped on the subway to have a leisurely dinner on my way to the Metro Convention Centre to get the Toronto Bead Society booth ready for the big opening of the Bead Oasis tomorrow.

Sounds busy, I know.

I was all keyed up and ready to get everything in place as I have to work at my j.o.b. tomorrow and can't attend the B.O..... I forgot how long it takes to get to the south building of the convention centre. I left home at 6:30 and by the time I actually stepped foot into the hall - it was 7:45. That didn't seem bad to me as we had until 9:00 pm to set up.... or so I thought. They cut it short - we had to be out of there at 8:00!

Freak out!

So, obviously, didn't get as much done as expected.

Guess who gets to be there at 7:00 am to finish the set-up?

Yep - the Volunteer Coordinator - and that's me!

God bless Kim and her hubby John for being there and doing some stuff and to Sue as well, who is keeper of the screens.

Tomorrow is looking just as busy as today.

Get up at 5:00 am to leave the house at 6:00 to get downtown for 7:00 am.

Declan has a soccer practice at 8:20 am. Tim will have to take care of that.

Get back up north to Keele and Steeles for my job at 8:30 am.

Work until 4:30.

Pick up Declan.

Go home and eat.

Get changed for softball - Markham Women's Slopitch League.

Declan and I head to Markham for an 8:30 pm game.

Last game of the regular season - drinks after.

I think I am going to slightly wiped out.