My Disclaimer Pinned Down

So I've known for quite awhile that every blog should have a disclaimer.  Today, I've finally finished mine (that I started way back in April 2011).  It's my little legal letter to you, my lovely readers. 
Find it in this post below as well as at the tabs along the top of the page.
While writing it, I found these websites to be extremely helpful...
http://www.blogherald.com/2007/10/02/writing-a-blog-disclaimer/
http://www.myhappycrazylife.com/blog-disclaimer/

So without further adieu, here it is...



Dear Readers,

This is a personal blog. The views and opinons expressed here are purely my own. The content found here is in no way associated with any past, present, or future employer, association, organization, agency, or group. Being that we are all individuals, each with different perspectives, my views may or may not agree with yours... and that's ok.

It is not my intention to offend, libel, or defame anyone. If the translation or interperetation of content, language, bad grammar, or punctuation does so, it is definitely unintentional and I will not be held responsible. Furthermore, I am not responsible for defamatory statements bound to government, religious, or other laws from the reader’s country of origin.

I am not a professional expert on anything, nor do I claim to be. I am simply a human being who is figuring it out as I go along. Perhaps you are too.

Since I am a human being, I will make mistakes. The content of this blog is provided "as is" with no warranties, and confers no rights. I will do my best to provide accurate information and links at the time of posting. A blog, by nature, is always in transition. Over time, my thoughts, ideas, and opinions will likely change and evolve. Please keep in mind that the validity and accuracy of past posts and links may also change. Also, I cannot control, nor am I responsible for, external sites that link to this blog.

If you find any tutorials, advice, tips, or information on this blog to be useful to you, that is great! My intention is to help and do no harm. Use any information found here with caution, common sense, and with the understanding that you do so at your own risk. I am not responsible and will not be held liable for any loss, damages, or inconveniences that may result from what is written and displayed on this blog or downloaded from it.

Feel free to offer constructive critisism, differing opinions, and your two cents worth in the comments section available at the bottom of my blog posts. Please be polite and remember that you are responsible for any comments that you post on this blog. I reserve the right to delete any comment for any reason, including, but not limited to profanity, abusiveness, rudeness, or spam. I am not responsible and will not be held liable for anything anyone says in the blog comments, nor the laws which they may break in any country through the content, implication, and intent of such comments.

Unless otherwise noted, photographs and images are my own. I always try to give credit where credit is due and will provide links to my sources of inspiration and information. Please offer me the same courtesy if you use my ideas on your own blog or website. You may not use anything from this blog for commercial purposes without my permission.

Overall, I hope that Charcoal & Crayons will be a place where we can all share and celebrate great ideas, while inspiring and encouraging each other.

I truly appreciate that you are here, spending a little bit of your valuable time with me and my thoughts.

Sincerely,

Just the Cone, Please!

During our Summer trip to the cottage, we made some sandy memories, spent some time simply messing about in boats, and even found ourselves in the hole.

And while at the cottage, it's always nice to meet up at the local ice cream shop.
Oliver doesn't really like ice cream (maybe it's too cold), but he does like the cone!

He was also quite impressed with the tent and chairs that were just his size.

He sat with Grandma Bonnie...

...just like last year...

My, how much he's grown!

Thanks for stopping by.

In the Hole

While at the cottage earlier this summer, we made some sandy memories and spent some time simply messing about in boats.

We were also able to spend some time at the beach with nearby family.  Oliver had a blast playing in the sand with his cousins Katie and Justin.

They dug a big hole which became Oliver's favourite place to sit.

And he shook with delight every time that Katie poured in some water!

Splash!

Even Roxy was able to enjoy some beach time...

...and dashing Daddy too...

Oliver also found some fun with a football.

Catch, Daddy!

The beach is a great place to practice those football skills in the sand!

Touchdown!

And even though playing football is fun...

The best place to be is...

...in the hole!

Thanks for stopping by.

Simply Messing About in Boats

So yesterday I shared Oliver's recent adventures in the sand with you.
Today, let's get into the water... without getting wet!
While Ollie wasn't too keen on swimming in the lake this year, he sure enjoyed his very first rowboat ride.

Here he is all ready in his lifejacket...

The lake was incredibly calm that evening.

Grandpa Gary got the rowboat ready.

Now, we just have to wait for Daddy.

Time to set off.

It's just like the Chi-Cheemaun!

What a beautiful evening for a boatride.

Looks like it was lots of fun too.

Let's go back in the boat!

"Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing

- absolutely nothing -

half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."

- Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows

Thanks for stopping by.

Sandy Memories

What a difference a year makes!
Last year, Oliver would not even touch the sand at the beach.
This year, he thoroughly enjoyed playing in the sand during our recent trip to the cottage.

A castle in the sand

Oliver and Grandpa Gary sure had a fun time digging…

…and building a sand castle together.

The Canada Day pinwheel added the perfect finishing touch.

Fill ‘er up!

A big dump truck was piled high with sand.

And then dumped…

And filled once again!

And again!

Taken for a ride

Even “Lightening McQueen Bike” had some fun in the sun.

And from this seat, Oliver gave us his signature sly look and big smile.

A stone’s throw

Finding and gathering stones...

...and then tossing them into the lake was another amusing activity.

At the end of the day, only the sand castle was left behind as we took our toys, towels, and sandy memories with us.

Hope your Summer days are filled with fun in the sun and sandy memories too!

Thanks for stopping by.

Halfway There :: Our Latest Project

Hey there!  It sure has been awhile since my last post.  That's because I've been working on a new project.  I guess you could say that it's a collaboration with my husband, Chris.  The past few months of this project have really been taking a toll on me physically, but in the end it'll all be worth it...

...because in the end we'll be welcoming a new member of our family.  That's right, we're expecting!

Now, the unfortunate part is that pregnancy does not agree with me in the slightest.  Just like when I was pregnant with our son Oliver, severe nausea and vomiting have become a part of daily life.  And everything smells terrible!  The smell of the dog, cologne, soaps, the fridge, and even my own skin gets my stomach churning.

We are now halfway through the year of 2012 (can hardly believe it!), and we are also just past the halfway point of this pregnancy.  After our experience with miscarriage last year, I have found it difficult to be excited about the arrival of a baby, just in case it doesn't happen... until now.

A few days ago, we had an ultrasound and found out that they think we're having a girl!

Since then, all I can think about is decorating the nursery and how much I love the name that we've picked for her (although if it turns out to be a boy, that's ok too).

Oliver is going to be a fabulous big brother and already has a nickname for his little sister... "Oatmeal".

Even though I won't quite breathe a sigh of relief until she is born healthy and in our arms, it feels good to finally replace some of the doubt and pessimism with some happiness and excitement... and maybe even a little bit of joy.

I hope you are all experiencing some joy this summer too!

Thanks for stopping by.

Andrea