Party time

Sterling and N have been friends since virtually the day we moved here. They have remained friends while being in different schools, moves and different classes in the same school. Yesterday he turned 13 and today Sterling is going to his place for a party. Things sure have changed since I was 13. They plan to take their bikes and go biking and practicing their mad skillz and are to bring their computers along so they can do some GFXing - whatever the hell that is. I applaud Ns mom for having three smelly boys eating her out of house and home for the evening. I remember when I was 13 and 14 and was having sleepovers and dances. Sterling is super excited. Oh well, what do I know - I never was a 13 year old boy. I guess I have to just be happy they haven't asked to go on a triple date with some girls to the movies. I really don't want to sit in the back of the theater, hunched down in a floppy hat for two hours making sure they don't touch each other. You know, girl cooties and all. I hear they're a bitch to get rid of.

Ya Gotta Love It

The fam and I were at Costco last night doing our weekly yogurt dip shopping trip - haha - and a woman who works there stopped Craig and said "are you with her? I LOVE her hat". So exciting. So we got to talking and I think I might have picked up a new customer. Thanks to everyone who has been so positive. I am totally loving this and it is just so much fun. Craig had yet to be out with me when someone stopped me because of my hat, so I think he was a little impressed. This is the hat I was wearing. One of my favorites. Who am I kidding - they're all my favorites!

week 5

Week 5 and the weather is not beautiful but very nice. We have had some rain, which I love, and some sun, and you get to bring out all your Fall coats. The boys are still wearing bunny hugs and rep jackets but Craig did pull out an extra layer last night. Leaving at 5:40am makes for some chilly mornings.

Have been busy making hats and updated Facebook with 6 new designs last night (when I was FINALLY able to use the computer - Kaedo is definitely getting his own for Christmas).

Not too much else going on - Craig is still working late hours, Sterling has a birthday party to go to on Friday and Kaedo is just counting down the days to the start of soccer practices again.

Sad Day

Craig and I learned this morning that one of the guys he played football with this Fall died on Saturday morning. He was in his mid-twenties. This was Craig's first year playing with him and so they were not close as he is with some of the guys, however it is so sad. An email was sent from Derek's girlfriend advising the team.

I didn't know him, had only heard about him, but a little sadness has hit my heart today thinking of a family that lost a son much too young and a girlfriend who was given the task to inform his friends and fellow players.

I'm going to hug my kids a little harder today and tell them I love them an extra time or two. We never know what life will bring us.

We're on Facebook!

I don't know about you, but I have stayed away from social media sites like Facebook and MySpace. I have never wanted to reconnect with the people I knew back in high school and to be perfectly honest, I had no clue about how to even do such a thing. Yesterday I was in the shopping mall picking up a gift and a woman stopped me to ask me about my hat. I explained that I custom make the hats and how it all works, and handed her a business card. She inquired if I was on Facebook or had a website and when I told her I didn't, she said I should really get one. She owns our local Body Shop, so I figured she knew what she was talking about. After talking to Jessica about it, I sat down and spent the rest of the afternoon setting up a Facebook account for Mon Beau Chapeau, with photos and descriptions of my hats. Later yesterday afternoon I got a call from a happy customer with a referral for someone who wanted a hat. I immediately called her and when I told her I was on Facebook, she was thrilled. This afternoon she called me and ordered three hats right off of the pictures shown.

So, I went into the Body Shop today and thanked the owner for opening my eyes to what I needed to do. I wanted her to know how very much I appreciated the anonymous mentoring she gave me. While there, one of her staff ordered a hat and the owner said she would be in contact with me tomorrow.

So, anyways - if you're on Facebook, or want to sign up for it you can check us out here:

facebook and type Mon Beau Chapeau in the search bar. If you have any questions, you can send me a message, you can "like" my page and do all other sorts of fun stuff that I truly know nothing about. The one thing I do know, is that if you want to order, this is a great place to check out the different styles.

OK - enough shameless plugs - go forth and enjoy your day.

ps - your head looks cold, need a hat????

modern family

This is our family. 3 computers, one kitchen table, 3 Blackberrys, one Playbook, one Samsung, one camera and no talking aside from Sterling humming or talking back to whatever game he is playing on his computer. When Craig is working from home there is no room for eating as there are so many electronics on the table. The modern family at its finest. Makes me laugh. NOTE: If I wasn't using our computer, Kaedo would be and his Blackberry would be added to the list. Yikes.

had to

While many will say flowers are a waste of money - especially when you don't have any, I have to agree. In saying that - I bought these two beauties at a local greenhouse for $6 on clearance. Aren't they beautiful? I sold one of my hats and used a portion of that money to buy these for the front entry. Flowers have been very important to me this year and they have brought a smile to my face every day. While these won't last more than a month, I like the idea of coming home and seeing these as I walk up to my front door. So, don't judge me - sometimes you just have to eat Kraft Dinner for a week to pay for flowers at your front entry. Haha.

week 4

Week 4 and "da kool kids" are in da house!

Fall weather is upon us but we're not complaining. We have no snow and November is around the corner. I personally love Fall - long sleeves and jeans and the occasional scarf - not to mention a funky hat or two - haha.

Kaedo is getting over a cold and Sterling would like to pretend he has one so he doesn't have to go to school, but he's too honest and so he's up and in the shower. Craig is working from home, so that is a nice treat for us too. I'm seeing a friend today that I haven't seen since July, so I'm looking forward to a visit with her.

A shout out to my mom - thanks for your wonderful comments on Monday. It has really given me a different perspective on how to look at things and I appreciate that you took the time to write your thoughts down.

Happy Wednesday all!

Life...

I recently went to Hallmark to buy a card for Emma as a congratulations for making it into the Nutcracker! We are so proud and thrilled for her. This was the bag my card came in. I cut it out and I think this is a good motto.

When you suffer from a mental illness and the setbacks and forward movement that goes along with it, it is easy to not live your life. It is easy to go back to bed, not fully participate, not be present. I work hard to make sure I am "in the game" where my family is concerned, although some days it is harder than others. With some serious changes in diagnoses and medication, I am working with the family to make a smooth transition while we work out all the kinks. I need to remember that "life is a special occasion" and I need to celebrate it and enjoy it.

I hope you will join me in making this your motto. I am also interested in suggestions about what you do in your life to stay present and focused. What works for you, what you do to celebrate yourself.

Have a great Monday.

Blood Work

Took Sterling yesterday to get some blood work done at the request of his doctor. You'd think they were amputating a leg. Apparently he hates me. haha. She took two vials of blood and he was fascinated with it coming out of his arm but squirmed like a 4 year old girl when she poked him. The funniest part was when he and the tech had the following conversation:

Sterling: "If I take this bandaid off will my blood squirt out all over the wall?"

Tech: "No"

Sterling: "Well that sucks".

Yippee!

Stopped by the store that is carrying my hats - "It's Worth Repeating" and saw them all displayed in the front entry. It was very exciting. I snapped a quick photo and hope that next time I stop by they will all be gone.

Also wanted to show you my latest and most favorite hat EVER! It turned out so awesome and I love the butterfly. I might just keep this one myself. Haha! When I went in on Tuesday to show my hats, the owner took all of them to put in her shop so I'm rebuilding my stockpile. This was my first new one. I am starting to dream about ideas now so that is either a good thing or a very bad thing. I only kept one slouch hat (Craig's favorite). I have to be happy that she feels that she can sell them in her store and I'm hoping I get the whole winter out of it.

week 3

Week 3 and the rain is here. I will take the rain any day if it means no snow. I understand that the West is expecting some snow this weekend. Yuck! Not too much going on here. The kids are busy with school, Sterling has his new permanent teacher and Kaedo is enjoying 7th grade and the craziness that is his teacher.

I think it is supposed to stay like this for the next couple of days but I don't mind! More reason to wear a hat!

Mon Beau Chapeau

So in I walk to our neighborhood consignment store with my bag full of hats. Each lovingly created and tagged with my business card Sterling designed for me. I wasn't sure what to expect and with 13 hats in my arsenal I was hoping that she would take half. In all she took EVERY ONE OF THEM!!!!!

Can you say thrilled? Now I am back to making a few more in case they sell and she needs some replenishment. There are also a few other local stores I am going to speak to but for now I am riding high that something that I have created is good enough to be sold in a local shop. Keep your fingers crossed for me. I'm hoping for a sell out!

FYI - my uber talented son made this header for me and my cards. He rocks.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. This morning we bribed the boys with Slurpees in order to get them to stay put for the 56 pictures we took. We came out with 19 really good ones which I will have printed and sent to the fams. We actually had a lot of fun and the kids were great. A word to those of you with younger children - it never gets easier!

Anyway - wishing you a wonderful thanksgiving - ours is cooking now.

Lots of love,

S

look what you find...

... when you're scrolling through old photos. These were taken at Vaughan Mills shopping centre the first year we moved here. We had found an IMAX theater near there and took the boys on a PA day to see a movie. Funny to think how far we were willing to travel for a little adventure back then. It's about 90 mins from us and we have never been back. After the movie we went to the mall that had just opened and one of the things we did was have our pictures taken in the instant photo booth. I love these pictures. The kids were so cute, and we had such a wonderful day together. Thinking of that with tomorrow being Thanksgiving and how thankful I am to have these three "men" in my life. Tomorrow we are heading out for our Fall family photo. We have big plans, so I hope we get some good shots.

mon beau chapeau goes local!

I'm so excited to announce that Mon Beau Chapeau is going local on Tuesday! I will be selling my hats in one of our local stores!!!! I'm so thrilled. I'm hoping they sell and that I get to see people wearing them. I have put a lot of love and detail into making them so I hope they fly off the shelves. Here's a selection of hats that will be going for sale (hopefully she will be taking all of them). If you want a better look you can click on each individual picture for a better view. Warning - shameless plug - if you would like to custom order a hat (special color, matching scarf, flower/no flower etc) drop me a line at: styleinspiration@ymail.com

and we can get something made for you. I figured I can do that as it is my blog - haha!

On Wednesday Kaedo had the opportunity to play in a day long soccer tournament for his school team. They played 5 games. They won 3, tied 1 and lost one. He was thrilled with how well they did. He was equally thrilled that he got to come home at 2pm instead of going back to school. I got the opportunity to stop by and watch one game and Craig watched one and took all these great pictures. If anyone would like the large one of him with his hat on, let me know and I'll print one for you. He is still in rep tryouts and we are hoping for the best for him. It is a large commitment, but he truly wants to do it. We'll see in the next couple of weeks what happens.

Week 2

Good morning all - it is 7:30 am and I have been for a run, had a shower, gotten ready for the day, photoshopped my photos and read about the sad passing of Steve Jobs - a true visionary of our time. Busy morning for those like me who love the comfort of their bed!

Yesterday Craig so kindly took the gnome picture for me as I was at a Mental Health Awareness Breakfast yesterday morning and had totally forgotten about it. This picture is gorgeous and I really think he should take on this role as he just captured them beautifully.

The weather is supposed to be nice today and I have a few things planned and some exciting news to share later on in the weekend.

Sterling has ortho this morning and we are hoping to get some news about when his tracks are coming off. He is so looking forward to chewing gum. I better start buying his "braces off" basket. I promised him a gift basket full of caramels and gum and other yummies he hasn't be able to eat for the past three years, so we are anxiously waiting to hear when the big day is. Shirley - by Christmas you may be able to buy him Juicy fruit gum again!

Tis The Season - almost!

NEWS NEWS NEWS!!!!!!

We're having company for Christmas! Mom and dad, Jessica and the girlies will all be here to celebrate with us. It has been 8 years since we have spent Christmas together and we are so looking forward to blending some of their traditions with ours. We will be having lots of fun and I just can't wait. Like last year, when the littles came to our place, it will be so awesome to see Christmas through the eyes of little kids again. So fun. We will be doing reindeer food, fundue, pajama night, and even secret santa.

I can't wait!!!!

I love this picture. It is one I used when I used to work for Sandylion and it makes me happy. When things get tough, as they sometimes do, you always have each other to count on. This weekend has been a long one for us. Craig played football both Saturday and Sunday - and we are sure he cracked a rib playing on Saturday. Yesterday he played and got smoked in the shin and stomped on the foot. He is one hurtin' old geezer. He says he has never broken a bone but I think that might have come to an end. Since I know he doesn't comment on the blog, I am free to write this if I want to.

Kaedo had soccer tryouts this weekend and ended up practicing in the pouring rain yesterday morning. He was frozen and soaked by the time practice was finished. He spent the rest of the day in his pajamas.

Sterling didn't do much aside from a pile of homework that Craig helped him with. The weather was miserable so no biking this weekend. We are coming to the end of the season until he starts biking indoors at Joyride 150.

I finished a custom hat and scarf for a customer. Kinda cool. My first sale. I got my requests from the girlies so I will start working on some hats for them.

Very busy week this week with parent council, soccer tryouts, practice, a tournament, voting, program, two groups, an ortho appt and the dentist. We will be busy running around but it is better than being bored.

Exciting announcement coming tomorrow - stay tuned!

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Today finds us up and early with soccer tryouts and football. It is cold here this morning at 7 degrees but I'm not complaining. This weather gives me the opportunity to wear long sleeves and scarves ( and maybe a cute hat - haha ). Not too much planned here this weekend aside from soccer today and tomorrow and football both days as well. Sterling is in a foul mood this morning as his trip to the skate park was cancelled due to fair weather kids and not wanting to ride in this weather. I hated to break it to him that it was only going to get worse. Oh well, what can you do.

I thought I'd post pictures from 2003 (Sterling) and 2005 (Kaedo). This is the bike Sterling got from Amma and Baba for his birthday the first year we moved here. Kaedo was loving soccer back in 2005 and has continued with it pretty much every year since then.

Have a wonderful announcement coming up soon but will have to get the consent of all parties before hand. Look for that hopefully in the next week.

I'll also be updating my etsy shop with some more hats this week, so keep an eye out for those. Your comments are always welcome.

Have a great weekend!