Half Time Show

We are officially half way through summer holidays although it feels a little more like Bill Murray's Ground Hogs day minus the "I Got You Babe" waking my each morning.  Today like yesterday and almost everyday I find myself cleaning doing laundry and ripping apart closets in an attempt to get my house clean so that when school starts again we will have some kind of managed chaos. 

After having a glass of wine with wonderful girl friends last night I took their sage advice to enlist the help of the built in work force in my house known as my children.  Although the teenager did not spring into action at 9 am like I had hoped I took great pleasure in vacuuming outside his door and in fact just stood there an extra five minutes just because I know it annoys him. 

Then I wrote a list and gave each child a couple of jobs by noon I realized that this picture was a metephor for the entire cleaning the house while my children are home it's two steps forward and three steps back. 

Sixty days keeping the peace, keeping it clean, keeping it together.  I hope all you other Moms and Dads are surviving Summer holidays and maybe even thriving.The best part is if it gets really bad you can always go to the swimming pool.  The kids are entertained and no one can tell you are crying!  

Here's looking forward to August, enjoying some time at the lake, finding my lost car keys and enjoying my clean house even if I have to get up at 6 am to see if clean!

Corla's 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways

Being a business owner for the past 16 years and being raised by parents who were also business owners, I learned the importance of supporting local businesses.

I am excited to be supporting my fellow local Swift Current businesses to get more traffic to them online and hopefully more traffic through their doors.  Each day we will be giving away great prizes.  Most are available only to those who could pick them up and use the services right her in Swift Current.  There have been a few businesses that would be for anyone in Canada but if they are a Swift Current business please make sure if you enter to win you can pick the prize up by no later than the 20th.

Day 1 Giveaway

Glass Slipper Spa

I can speak from personal experience that Cindy and the staff at Glass Slipper Spa are friendly and knowledgeable.  The facility is beautiful and offers many services from spa treatments to jewelery from fellow Dragons' Den business Hilberg and Berk to Dermalogica skin care products.  They offer a wish list service where they will call you significant other for Christmas, Birthdays or Anniversary and give him help in the perfect thing to buy for you.

Enter to win Eye Lash Extensions.  Look beautiful this holiday season with Eyelash Extensions.  The newest service at Glass Slipper Spa.  

$175 value. 

4 Ways to enter
Like Glass Slipper and post on their wall.
Like Glass Slipper and share Glass Slipper on your timeline.
Like Glass Slipper and post a comment on this post.
Like Glass Slipper then comment on my blog www.thecircushouse.com

Annual Christmas Tree Lighting

 Tomorrow the first ever "Swiftys" will be announced on Swift Current Online.  One of the categories was "Best Community Event".  You know I love contests and voting so I voted for the Christmas Tree Lighting we will find out at 8 am tomorrow if it wins.  We always have so much fun there.  The weather maybe cold but the hot chocolate, Christmas Carols, roasting marshmallows and the smiles on the kids' faces all warm the heart and more than make up for the cold toes. 

The girls waiting for Santa to arrive.  Ellie was watching Santa get out of the fire truck while Olivia poses for the camera.  

Kelsey was part of his school choir that sang at the tree lighting.  Very proud mom standing in the bushes to photograph the back row. 

 This kids just ditched us to stand by himself for the sleigh ride.  I sent Olivia to check on him and she tied up his toque for him.  Then when he put the strings in his mouth she yanked them out simultaneously yanking lose his first tooth. 

 The kids did a great job singing to a large crowd. 

 The fire fighters handed out marshmallows and we warmed up around the bonfire. 

 Ellie found herself hypnotized by the fire. 

 With the line for Santa being very long I thought Ellie would like to go say hi to Mrs. Claus.  What a nice lady!  Lots of hugs.  Ellie tried to sweet talk her into helping her skip to the front of the line to see Santa. 

 We got hot chocolate from the fabulous Golden West Radio Station. 

 Here is the picture of the horses and sleigh.  This is what happens when your flash hasn't fully recharged. 

Here is one of the perks of shooting in Raw as underneath there is still a lot of information on the file that you can use if you utilize the fill light slider. 

 This is the picture I will show Ellie when she is grown up and tell her we waited in line so she could sit on Santa's knee when in all actuality we did not because her mom and brothers are social butterflies that could not stand in line for too long because we might miss something.  Thanks again to all those involved in making the Annual Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting a success.  It is the kick off to our holiday season and we love it!  We hope you win the Swifty!!!

Redefining Success- Still Making Mistakes by W. Brett Wilson

Redefining Success- Still Making Mistakes by W. Brett Wilson

 I was running out to my van the other day to take Ellie public skating, when a black package poking out of my mailbox caught my eye.  I was so excited and surprised to open the black bubble wrap to find a signed copy of Brett's book inside! I sat in the lobby of the rink reading the book written by my business partner and mentor and was reminded how lucky I am to be an entrepreneur who can enjoy the balance of time raising my young family while running a business and having a career. 

The book came with a eraser that said "Still Making Mistakes".  

I found the book to be a reflection of Brett himself.  Equal balance of business, family, friends, and philanthropy.  The book is full of inspirational stories.  Brett shares insight from his business life, his personal life and why it is so important for him to pay it forward.  I have been so fortunate to witness all of those things first hand.  He has been an amazing business partner from the very beginning.  He offers advice when requested, he has connected me with so many amazing people and is always encouraging. 

Here is the link to the book's website where you can get a copy of the book, T-Shirts or signed prints!

Page 157-158 Brett talks about Snappy Socks!!

Pat and I were so excited to go to Saskatoon for the Pitch Party last week.  I will post pictures soon from the fun event!!

Sunday Football Funday!

Four years ago I was watching the last game of Levi's football season and I had to leave to go to a photo ordering session.  I missed him winning the city championships.  After that day, I decided that I would not work on Sundays.  It was one of the best decisions of my 16 year photography career. 

So when Kelsey and his Inferno team took the field for the final time this season, they were ending an undefeated season and I got to cheer them on to victory!!

Grandpa and Grandma were there to watch and we all snuggled together to keep warm.  

 The trophy presentation.

 Proud player.

 Frozen little brother who sat in the truck for most of the game and every time he opened the truck door the truck alarm went off.

 Congratulations to number 51 and coach Pat on a victorious, undefeated season!  I was so glad to be there and cheer.

Monday Morning

monday mornings

 

good morning sleepy heads

time to get up

mom where r my jeans

mom its dress up day i need to dress from a specific decade

where is my old dance costume poodle skirt

thats two years old it will never fit

just be a hippy

sign agenda

toast 

cereal

pack your lunch

wake up your brother

wake him up again

Leviiiiiii get up!

 where are your winter boots

why did you leave them at school

I have homework need to interview someone

where are my library books

my recorder

missed the bus

need a ride

need $5 for hot lunch

can i get a book from the book order

did you remember to  bring your stuff for swimming after school

i love you be a good student make good choices

have a great day your ride is here

love you too.....

coffee

Snappy Socks on the Today Show!

Today the lovely Lilliana Vazquez from Cheap Chicas featured Snappy Socks on The Today Show.  The show reaches approximately 5 million viewers!  It was very exciting for us and we hope it opens even more doors for our product. 

Check out the segment.

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

More about Liliana:
Website: www.lillianavazquez.com
Blog: www.cheapchicas.com
Tweet me: @CheapChicas