Catching Up...

Well, I'll just keep going with the blogging challenge...even though I have clearly not kept up with the 30 days in a row...in fact, I'm pretty sure the 30 days is over and I've only blogged about 4 days...what can I say...

Here's my excuses...I've been sick with a chest cold for almost 2 weeks...not so horrible that I couldn't function, but horrible enough that it really takes something out of me at the end of the day. Actually, it has totally caused my asthma to act up...so I've felt very short of breath for the better part of the last week and a bit...not a fun feeling :P

And...my fantastic new boyfriend and I have broken up...guess he wasn't so fantastic and perfect for me after all...man, am I ever glad I didn't blog very much about him yet...lol. It actually wasn't that bad...I mean, he started questioning his feelings about me and whether or not he was ready for a relationship so soon...but he also started talking to another girl...so it just had to end. And as soon as I realized that I deserved better and that I didn't have to tolerate less...it was easy to end it. So I'm doing good, and I think that this was a turning point for me, in terms of knowing what I want and what I won't tolerate in relationships.

Ok...so here's some catch up days...

Day 5 Favourite Recipes

Well, I have to say that right now, my favourite recipes are for Laksa and a Shrimp Pesto Pizza.
I don't really have true recipes...because we just kinda figure them out as we go along...so I'm sorry to disappoint those who got really excited about these dishes.

Erika and I have made Laksa a few times now, and I have to say that I LOVE it...it's a Malasian curry soup, and it is heaven in a bowl...really, it is. All I know is that we use Tikka Masala, coconut milk, Tamarind soup base, fish sauce, prawns, baby corn, pineapple, red peppers, bean sprouts, water chestnuts, boiled eggs, rice noodles and cilantro.
We make a soup base out of the Tikka Masala, coconut milk and fish sauce...and it really is to taste for us.
In another pot we make the tamarind soup base then we add it to the Tikka Masala. Once that is boiling, we add all the vegetables and simmer until they are tender. Then in go the prawns and pineapple. Then we just add it over the rice noodles, and top it with bean sprouts, cilantro and sliced boiled eggs.
I know...not the greatest recipe...but yummy!! If you really want me to figure out how we really make it, feel free to email me at bcnatty22@hotmail.com


And my other recipe is for Shrimp Pesto Pizza...and literally I just take cooked shrimp, chopped fresh tomatoes, feta cheese and mix it with a greek salad dressing, salt and pepper. Spread pesto sauce over your pizza bread (I use pita bread), then take your shrimp mix and spread it on top of the pesto...and put it in the oven to cook...literally...that easy...but SOOOOO delicious!!!


Day 6 A picture of something that makes me happy...

It would definitely have to be my kiddos...just beings kiddos, and enjoying themselves...they crack me up, make me crazy, keep me sane, and fill my life with joy...I love them

Day 7 Favourite Movies

I actually just answered this for someone today...so I don't have to do as much thinking about it. As I told him...I have many different favourite movies, depending on the genre...
For suspense movies I love Shawkshank Redemption, The Usual Suspects, Taken, Signs
For romantic comedies I love 50 First Dates, Never Been Kissed, A Walk To Remember, Princess Bride
For romance I love Pride & Prejudice, Shakespeare In Love
For comedy I love Tommy Boy, Due Date, Old School
For action I love martial arts movies, especially ones like Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Hero, House of Flying Daggers
and I love musicals...Moulin Rouge (awesome!!) and Burlesque...I just love the singing and dancing...

Day 8 A Place I've Traveled To

Well, I actually haven't had the opportunity to travel too much...oh, the places that I want to go...someday...

I have been able to travel to Hawaii a few times (since the conference that I played basketball in had the University of Hawaii in it) and I was able to take a trip to the Philippines while I was still with my ex-husband. I'll have to scan some pictures in and post them...I loved going to Hawaii...it was so beautiful, but I had the best time with my teammates. The last year that we were there our whole team rented mopeds and went all over the island...SO much fun!!

Day 9 A Picture of my Friends

Here is "The wolf pack"...as we are referred to in our hometown...lol


Actually, all these fabulous girls are my little sister, Erika's, friends...but seeing as she is my best friend, I have become really good friends with these girls as well. They are amazing...beautiful, strong, independent women...and they have helped me to realize that I am as well, and that I don't have to settle...in the words of Tammy..."it'll be your turn when you finally decide you're worth your own weight in gold and then disallow anyone to treat you otherwise"...I love them for that.

Day 10 Something that I'm afraid of...

Wow...what a loaded prompt...there are a lot of things that I'm afraid of...nothing really tangible though.

I am afraid of not finding someone that will love me for who I am...I have found that I really don't like to be alone, and not because I don't like being by myself...but I really love spending those everyday moments with someone I love.

I am afraid that I'm not going to be able to give my kiddos everything that they need...being a single parent is hard, and I still have so much help from my parents since my licensing hasn't come through yet...I'm afraid that once I am out on my own, that I won't be able to provide for them the way that I want to.

Ok...that's all the catch up I'm doing today...I've got to get to bed and try to get rid of this cold...

Until next time...peace!!

I Suck at this Blogging Thing...

LOL...I just realized today that I have missed the last 4 days of my 30 day blog challenge...and that was only after the first day!! You see? I told you that I suck at this blogging thing...

Well, here's my attempt to catch up...but I have to warn you that I'm probably going to be catching up throughout this whole 30 day thing.

Just a note...I'm writing this up on a computer, other than my own...so I don't have any pictures here, so when I get a chance (hopefully tomorrow...when I'm writing up the next part of the challenge) I will post pictures.

Day 2 - The meaning behind my blog

Pieces of Me...well, it doesn't really take a whole lot of explanation...this blog is where I can keep track of the pieces that make up my life, that make up who I am. It's a place where I can ramble about nothing, show off what I've accomplished and at the end of it all, have something written down about who and what I was.

Day 3 - My first love

Well, I would have to say that my first love was Chris Foucher...we dated on and off for about 3 years in high school. And I have to admit, that if I had stayed in town after high school, I probably would have ended up with him. He was just one of those people who I could relate to. We always had a really easy relationship, it was always so easy to talk to him...actually, it still is. He is one of those guys that I don't have to see or talk to for months, and we can pick up right where we left off. We figured out a little too late, what exactly we meant to each other, and by that time, our lives had taken such different paths...but he still is, and will always be a good friend.


Day 4 - My parents

Well, what can a girl say about her parents...when I was growing up, my mom was the enforcer...she was the lawmaker...and I, along with all my friends and boyfriends were scared to death of her. On top of that, she was, and still is a teacher...so she knew all my teachers - yeah, there was no way that I ever skipped a class in high school!! I wasn't really close with her, being scared to death of someone kinda puts a damper on being able to confide in her. I do remember very clearly the day that we actually became closer. It was after my first year of college and I was lying in my bed and she was trying to talk with me...something that was very new to me, so I was kinda blowing her off...well, she actually started crying and told me how upset she was that we weren't close enough for me to tell her what was going on in my life...and from that point on...I've been able to confide in her. My relationship with her has changed so much...and I realize that she loves me...unconditionally. And that no matter what happens.. .she has got my back...and that's all I can ask for.

My dad, on the other hand...he was kind of the pushover...if there was ever something that I wanted, I made sure that I asked my dad...because at least with him, I knew that there may be a chance that he would say yes. He was the one who introduced me to basketball and coached me for the first few years of my basketball career. He was actually gone for most of my high school years (he was transferred 8 hours away), but he came home every other weekend...and the night before he left, he always came down to sit beside my bed and catch up with my life. He was actually down there for my last college basketball game...and I remember how proud he looked when they were listing all my accomplishments. I was so happy that I could make him feel that way...it is something that I will never forget. And despite the fact that he is 65, we still play basketball together...it's awesome!!

Okay, that's all that I'm going to catch up on now...the next day is about recipes...and I have to give a little bit more thought that I can give at midnight. Now I'm not going to keep any promises...except the promise to catch up when I've finally realized that it's been days since I blogged!! LOL!!

On another note...I feel like bragging for a bit...my women's basketball team just won the league championship last week. And I have to say that I played pretty fan-frickin-tastic!! I was unstoppable...really, I hit 8 three's, I posted up, I was hitting pull-up jumpers...I had 43 points...the most that I've ever had in a game. It was just one of those games where everything was going in, I didn't even realize how much I had scored...anyway...just wanted to brag for a bit.

Take care, I'll be in...when I'm in ;)

Day 1 - Introduce, Recent Picture, 15 Interesting Facts

Well, I have to admit...my blog is severely neglected...and I have resolved to fix this!! I am a little late in joining the crowd over at ScrapMatters...but I figure that I don't really have anything to lose. Heather (Haynay) has started this blogging challenge (actually, it started about a month ago) and I figured that I'd just jump in now...if nothing else, at least my blog will be updated more often!!

So here goes:

I'm Natasha Cruz...soon to be Johnson again...long story, that you can read earlier in my blog. I am a mother, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, lover, scrapper, baller and physio. I am a Canadian, through and through...and although I'm tired of winter as of this moment...I have to say that I love being back home!! That's all I'm going to say in my introduction...otherwise, I might not have any interesting facts to add later...

I took this picture of myself about 2 weeks ago...this is often the only way that I actually have proof that I do exist, as I'm usually the picture taker...

Now 15 interesting facts...hmmm...well, at least I think that they're kind of interesting...

1. I am the second child of a family of 5...there are 4 girls and then my little brother (often called the forgotten brother in our posts...sorry Darren, we really don't forget you!!). And I have to say that my family is really close, I mean, we love getting together as often as we can...and I know for a fact that any one of my siblings has my back whenever I need it...for whatever...and they know that I would be there for them in a heartbeat if they ever needed me.

2. I am a single mom of 3...I separated from my husband of 10 years about a year ago (hence the last name going back to Johnson). At that time I didn't think that I would be able to make it...but that close family that I talked about before? They were there to pick me up...literally...3 weeks after we decided to split, my older sister, her husband and my brother drove from Vancouver to Monterey, California...helped me pack up my house and brought me back home.

3. After 15 years of living in sunny, warm California...I moved back home to Northern British Columbia with my 3 kiddos. People call me crazy...but I call this home. As I said before, I am a Canadian, through and through...I have ALWAYS wanted to move back here...just didn't have the opportunity until recently. And although I do have to wear a parka, winter boots, mitts, scarves and toques for half of the year...there is NO WAY that I would ever consider moving back down to California...you can keep your year round sunshine and +40 degree weather...I'll take the snow and cold if it means that I get to be with my family again :)

4. I got a full-ride basketball scholarship to play down in San Jose State University, NCAA Div 1. That's how this girl from small town PG ended up in the big Silicon Valley. My team didn't do very well, but I rocked it...when I left school, I was 7th on the all time scoring list...and I believe that I am still in the top ten for most of the scoring records...plus I got a free education...really, how can you top that?!

5. After 5 years and 3 kiddos...I decided to go back to school to get my Masters of Physical Therapy. Yup, that's right...I had 3 kids all under the age of 5 when I went back to that crazy program called Physical Therapy...and I mean CRAZY!!! Plus, my husband at the time was working and living 3 hours away...so he was only there during the weekends. So I was a single mom of 3, going through PT school...and I am proud to say that I rocked it again!!! I'm talking a 3.96 GPA...yeah, I'm pretty proud of myself for that.

6. I'm in love...again...I know, I'm a sucker for love!! For those of you who know me, or follow this blog...you know that after I split with my husband, I had a BF last year...and that he dumped me on New Years - yeah...he was a real winner. Well, one thing that I didn't do was sit around and mope and wait for him to come back (at least not for long). Erika and Rachel (my 2 younger sisters) made sure of that...they absolutely would not even let me think of getting back together with my ex...plus I had the wolf pack to help carry me through...LOL!!! And it didn't take long to find someone new...and can I say that he is FABULOUS!!! I'll have to introduce him later on...keep you coming back for more...LOL!!

7. I love sports...basketball mostly...but I will watch any sporting event...and I have to admit, that I'm pretty knowledgeable about most sports. Funny story...one of the first times that I stayed over at my new BF's place was during NFL playoffs. Well, we were snoozing and all of a sudden I sat straight up in bed, asked what time it was and then loudly stated that I had to leave because I had to go watch a football game. My new guy was like "What?! You're leaving to go watch football?!" And we ended up spending the day snuggling on the couch, watching playoff games...I think that I had him hooked from that point ;)

8. I still play basketball...and what's even better is that I get to play with my 2 sisters that live in PG with me. I have to admit, that our team rocks...because us Johnson girls are pretty damn awesome...and we're competitive...we will do anything it takes to win. We are actually trying to put together a team of all the Johnson girls to go over to Torino, Italy to play in the World Master Games in 2013...I think that would just be awesome...playing against teams from around the world with my sisters...I can't wait!!!

9. I love March!!! And it truly is only because of March Madness...I'm talking the single best sporting event to watch of the year!! Forget the NFL, NBA, NHL...NCAA March Madness is where my heart truly lies!!! It is true madness and I love it...so many upsets, so many incredible games, so much blood, guts and most of all...heart being left on the hardwood...it truly is a magical time for me...Duke all the way baby!!!

10. I am a Disney lover...I will go and watch any Disney cartoon that is made...even if I didn't have kids, I would totally be there!!! If I could, I would be at Disneyland every single year...and make no mistake about it...that is on my list of 50 things that I'm going to do. I get giddy when I know that a new cartoon is coming out...I hide it from my kids...but I'm just as excited to go as they are.

11. I love to scrapbook...as most of you probably know already. I've always loved taking pictures, and when I looked back at my pictures I could tell stories about what we were doing, where we were, and why it was important to me to take that picture. When I found scrapbooking...it was just a perfect match for me. What better way is there to record all those memories and pictures...and to make it so beautiful...I love it. I'm so excited to be able to keep all these little tidbits about my kiddos lives as they are growing up, I can't wait for them to look back at my pages when they are grown and remember...that's why I really do it.

12. I am a classically trained pianist...although I haven't played competitively in years and years and years. My piano teacher forced me to choose between piano and basketball when I was in grade 9...and I chose basketball without even stopping to think. I do miss playing piano though, and I find myself tickling the ivories every now and then. I would like to get back to playing more often, I'm actually really glad that I do know how to play. I have to admit...I was a really good pianist...I mean good to the point that I would win all my competition categories...and that other people would drop out if they saw my name in the same competition as them.

13. My best friend is my little sister, Erika...has been since 2000. We decided that we would be best friends when my family was all sitting around one day a couple weeks before I got married. Rachel informed us that none of us was going to be her maid of honour because her best friend would be...and Erika and I looked at each other and said...I don't even have a best friend to do that...and right then and there, we decided that we would be each other's best friend. I love her to pieces...she is the most beautiful, funny, loving girl in the world...I'm so lucky to not only call her my best friend, but my sister.

14. I'm a licensed PT in California...yup...not a lot of good that does me when I'm living in Canada!! Currently I have been waiting for almost 11 months to hear back from the PT Board of Canada about when I can take my licensing exam up here...I cannot wait to be able to actually work here!!!

15. I can honestly say that I am at a point in my life where I am truly happy. I am surrounded by people who love and support me, I am soon going to be able to work as a PT, I'm playing basketball with my sisters, I have my kiddos with me, I'm in love with an absolutely fantastic man...life is great for me right now. I look at myself and am starting to see the beautiful, happy, confident woman that I used to be...I've been looking for her for a long time...and it feels awesome!!!

Well, that's it for the first post...hopefully I'll be back for the next 30 days... ;) We'll see how that works out!!

Babypalooza!!!

Hello everyone...and welcome to Babypalooza!!! I hope that you've enjoyed to stops along the way so far. You should have been directed here from Kat's blog.

If you've gotten lost along the way and want to start over, you can begin at Britt's blog.

My family has been hit hard with baby fever...in just the past 6 months, I have welcomed 4 new nieces in to my life. There is Zoey, Amelia, Penny and Reiko...I feel so very blessed and cannot wait to meet my south of the border girls!! In fact, everyone around here has gotten a bit of baby fever, what with Britt's little bundle of joy coming soon...and just look at this beautiful new baby kit that she has whipped up for all of us to play with!! Isn't it just amazing?!


Now, I was lucky enough to be able to play with it ahead of time and I know that most of you are here for the freebies...so without further ado...here is the quickpage that I've made for you all.

*** ETA. This download is no longer available...look for this and the rest of the blog train goodies at Britt-ish Designs ***

For those of you who weren't able to download this because of a lack of bandwidth, and if you left a comment about it...please email me at bcnatty22@hotmail.com!!

Make sure you let all your friends know about this blog hop...these freebies will only be available until Thursday February 17th.

The next stop on your hop is Krista's blog.

Enjoy the rest of the ride!!

A New Year...Another New Beginning

Well...2011 hasn't exactly started off like I expected it to. Rich, my BF of 9 months decided to end it on New Years...so I'm hoping that this year can only get better. No, it's not his fault...so don't start hating him right away...well, he did end it, but he just wasn't feeling it anymore. And no matter how much I want to, I just can't change how someone feels...so it's for the best, I guess...even if it does feel like my heart has broken in to a thousand pieces again.

So here I am again, brokenhearted at the start of a new year...and, again, I will make the commitment to myself...to find what truly makes me happy, to find what makes me tick...to find me. So here's to a year of self discovery...

So, besides that...the rest of my holidays was awesome...it always is when I get to spend time with my whole family. As always, it was chaotic, with everyone around, but it was fun:)
The kiddos had their Christmas concert...they were all so cute. Erika and I were lucky enough to get seats front and center and unfortunately, I don't have a proper video camera yet, so my iPhone just had to do.

Logan was a little shy, I don't know why because she sings and sings and sings at home...and if I do say so myself, she is pretty good.



And Tanner...well, let's just say that he LOVES the camera!!! Such a little ham:) He, of course is front and center...and did he ever put on a show. It didn't quite catch it all, but at the end of his performance he did a couple bows and thank yous.



And Payton was just as sweet as can be...she was sick with tonsillitis the whole week before the concert, and at first she wasn't going to go...but she cried and cried...and in the end, she got her way. She was so happy that she was able to go, and fortunately, she was able to make it through the entire show.



Then the whole family came up for the Christmas holiday. It was the first time that I've seen Darren and Auria since they left for their Asia trip, almost 8 months ago. And I finally got a picture of the 5 of us...which I will totally have to scrapbook, and then give to Darren, so he doesn't feel like the "Forgotten Brother" anymore ;)

We also got to spend some time with Grandma, which is always a delight:)

And I think that Kong Kong loved having all his grandkids and great grandkids there with him.

We had our traditional "Frank" Christmas breakfast of crepes, eggs benedict and deli meats and cheeses. We had a traditional Christmas dinner...with some crab legs thrown in and we also had our Mongolian Hot Pot...so much good food!! Hopefully it didn't all go to my thighs;)

The kiddos all got along surprisingly well...I barely heard any fighting between the 5 of them...which was a treat for Tanya and I.

The kiddos all got their favorite presents...and then a lot more!! Seriously, the amount of gifts under the tree is getting a little ridiculous...but the kids love it, and so do I!!

The siblings all get together and do a Secret Santa, which seriously cuts down on the cost for us...and it's always fun to find out what you get. This year I had Erika, and I decided to do a little theme for her. We were all in to the movie and book "Eat, Pray, Love" so I went off of that and got her a cookbook, a little jade Buddha statue and and little book of zen sayings and some lacy underwear...along with the movie. And Tanya was my Secret Santa...I ended up getting a pretty sweet sweater and a GC to Shutterfly...now I have NO excuses to not put a book together!! AND we all got some hand knitted Christmas socks from Mom :)


So, although, it ended up pretty crappy for me...I can't really complain...because I was able to spend the holidays surrounded by people who love and support me. And the way I figure it...it can only get better.

So here's to 2011...may it be filled with love and happiness for everyone!!

SM 3rd Birthday Blog Train

Hey Everyone!!

First let me say Happy Birthday SM!! I have had the wonderful priviledge of being a part of the SM CT for a while...and I love it, I consider it part of my digital family.

I hope everyone has been enjoying all the wonderful freebies that the CT and designers have created for you all!!

You should have found your way here from Amy's Blog. If for some reason, you get lost along the way, or found your way here without following the train, you can start over at ScrapMatter's Blog.

Your next stop should be Trixie Scraps' Blog.

I have a few memorable birthdays that I want to share with you all. When I was growing up, my Grandma always made these amazing birthday cakes. I mean, these are ones that you would pay good money for at a bakery...but my favorites were always her Black Forest Cakes. I would look forward to my birthday every year just for her cakes. I have been priviledged enough to have been taught by my Grandma how to bake her special Black Forest Cakes, and it was my honour this year with my younger sister, Erika, to surprise her on her birthday (the first one that I have been here for in 15 years) with her own Black Forest Cake.

My family has a birthday season...it runs from the middle of April through the end of May. During that time we have 9 birthdays in just 5 weeks. I have totally missed out on our birthday season during the 15 years that I was living in the States, but now that I'm back home in Canada...this year I was in heaven. It gets a little hectic, planning that many birthdays, but I loved it. I made a LO of all the birthdays we celebrated this year...

The other birthday that I want to share with you is my last birthday, which I celebrated in May. This is the first one in 15 years that I have been able to celebrate with my immediate family, it really meant a lot to me to have everyone that loved me and that has helped me through some really tough personal times there with me this year. And just knowing that this is the first one of a lot to come makes it even better!! I love my family so much, and I'm so glad that I am home with them again!

So now on to what you have all been waiting for...my freebie!! I hope you enjoy these cluster frames that I have made for you all. Just click on the preview to download!!

***ETA: This download is no longer available. Please check out ScrapMatters for the add on to the Cupcakes & Candles kit for all the blog train freebies!!***

Enjoy the rest of the train, and have a wonderful time during this amazing week at ScrapMatters!!

Just wanted to quickly pop in here and mention a couple things that are going on at ScrapMatters.

First of all...I'm hosting a Speed Scrap...so if speed is your vice, check out the ad below.

And for playing along...you will get this fabulous Participation Prize!! Isn't is awesome?!

Also...ScrapMatters is turning 3 next week!!!!! So you have to make sure that you check it out...we will be having games, chats, speed scraps and sales all week long!! Make sure you're there for some fabulous fun and prizes!!