Friday's Gift

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Telling On Myself

Aw, geeeeeeeee. Don't you just hate it when you do something that makes you feel like an idiot? This morning -- gratefully -- there were no witnesses.

First, let me put things in context. You know how often you want to hit the "rewind" button on your "Life Remote" to give you a second chance to say something? Or you got such a kick out of something you want to live it over again?

And all those times you want to hit the "mute" button on someone at work who takes ten minutes to tell you something that most people could relate in a two-sentence paragraph??

You know what I mean, right????? [Just nod your heads.]

Well, this morning as I was getting dressed in the first layer of undergarments we women endure -- yes, the one with the hooks-and-eyes and lace and straps -- I was making that first step of fastening it. The backwards-upside-down move. I realized I needed to make an adjustment in my straps. The strap on the right -- no problem. Slid right into place. The noodlehead who made the adjustment on the left strap -- yes, she blushes, 'tis I -- pushed it in the opposite direction.

An easy mistake, admittedly.

HOWEVER, my brain instanteously sought the "undo" button.

The "undo" button on my bra strap.

Geeeeeeeeeee ... feeling foolish still and blushing as I admit this silly little thing.

Of course, it does give one pause to think that a lot of guys would love that feature on this particular garment in general. But I won't go there. ;-)

Blessings on your day,
Melanie

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I'm Guilty, Too

Yes, I do admit to channel surfing while a program is already on. I mainly do it to keep up with two programs simultaneously, which you CAN do successfully if it's the right combination of programs. HOWEVER, I strongly object to my husband switching back and forth to avoid commercials (however annoying they may be). If I really, really, really want to watch a program/movie/show totally intact, I go to the other room.

Having said all that, though, I must tell you that my husband is a gem. If I told him I wanted to go out or do something else, that TV is off in a heartbeat. And he's not a sports junkie ... hallelujah!!!

Hope your day goes well. Hold onto that remote at least one evening a week!

Blessings,
Melanie
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Find Your Happy Bug

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I Love Words

I don't know about you but I love WORDS. I love certain words, the way they trip off the tip of your tongue ... or roll around in your mouth before they burst out ... or the way they dance before your eyes as the letters line up. That probably makes me sounds absolutely loony, but some of you (I hope) will know what I mean!!

Today's contribution of word art is a set of five splendiferous words that -- in addition to being great descriptors -- are meant to complement the amaaaaaaaaaaaazing Unda-da-Sea kit designed by the Divine Miss Kim (KimB's Designs). This kit is absolutely beyond glorious and I look forward to using it multiple times in the weeks, months, years to come.

And, speaking of words, I have to caution you that I sometimes make them up. I KNOW I'm not the only one who does that by any stretch of the imagination, but that makes for a fun layout, too, you know.

I've got to dive back into some work (pun intended) to meet some deadlines ... hope you have a great Easter weekend.

All the best,

Melanie

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Deep Within

I've always loved this quotation. At various periods of my life, I've interpreted in a whole new way each time -- and each time it gave me wings to fly ... to soar. That may not make sense to you, but it's OKAY. It doesn't have to. :) Hope you can find many ways to use it ... and I would love to see your work.

All the best ...

Melanie

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All About Busy

Don't you just love this one? It describes a child so perfectly and vividly, I think ... and colorfully.

Today's quotation reminded me instantly of an ABC Album series created by Pamela at Digitreats. She started this MASSIVE project last year and it's been a true delight watching it unfold. If you haven't already done so, please check it out and support her artistry. The project is still a work-in-progress.

Anyway, back to today's word art. There are three versions of it, one to coordinate with the color scheme of each of the three ABC kits: Run (designed for boys), Skip (designed for girls) and Jump (designed for either). The close-up in today's posting is the Jump version; the download will include all three versions. With apologies to the author of this quotation, I adapted the gender-specific words for the Skip version.

Blessings on your day,
Melanie
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Monday. Yawn.

I had 1.5 hours of sleep last night and 4 the night before. Wasn't ready for the alarm this morning!!!!

Keeping it short and sweet today ... enjoy your gift, I hope!

Until later,

Melanie

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To Love and Be Loved

I believe that true happiness is a result of a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior. In that context, this quotation is unbelievably profound.

Having said that, feeling loved by someone special and having the opportunity to love them in return are extraordinary and an incredible gift.

Please remember to tell someone today how much they are loved all the year through.

Blessings,
Melanie

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An Acquired Taste

The humor of American comedian Steven Wright is dry, wry, quirky and sometimes just plain weird. It's just the kind of wit that appeals to my youngest brother, and to me, too, I guess. However, it's definitely not all scrap-able, unless you, too, have that same style of humor in your blood!

Anyway, Steven Wright is the source of today's word art quip. Hope you can find a good way to use it. I can't say that I always drive too fast myself, but I do have a cholesterol problem to deal with, so maybe it's a new concept in getting those triglyceride numbers down.

On another note, thanks so much for the kind comments about yesterday's freebie. I'm glad to hear that you're looking forward to other entries in that PhotoArts series. I'll try to have at least one a week, but don't want to do it if it's not the right combination of pieces for it.

Hope you have a terrific weekend!

Melanie

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Enhancements That Enrich ...

... I hope!

Today, I'm starting a new occasional series, which I'm calling PhotoArts. Simply described, these are word arts that I've illustrated with my photography. The enhancement comes in because I've also supplied some emphasis words that you can use for your layout titles, if you wish. Does that make sense?

I'm showing you the word art from the new MMDC PhotoArts Vol. 1, plus the preview. Today's PAV1 includes one illustrated quotation, plus three additional wordart pieces. Hope you like it!

Blessings,

Melanie

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Today's Gifts

Just dropping in to post the MMDC March Fabulously Add-On, to the DSO March Color Challenge kit I posted on my blog on February 29. KimB's color choices for this month are, as always, spot-on, and terrific for layouts as winter transitions into spring here in Texas. [We had snow yesterday, and it's in the high 60s today. Rainy and cold tomorrow. That's typical for March, except for the snow bit!]

[I could have made that sentence more awkward, but I didn't. :) ]

Kim Broedelet's excellent Grab Bag No. 7 came in helpful for the overlays used in this Add-on, plus the stitched flower. It's still on sale at DSO for a few more days; what a deal! I also used an Atomic Cupcake action for one of the two word arts in this little kit.

I did a quick layout of my niece and her middle son as they shared a quiet moment. I love the intimacy of these parent/child moments, don't you? It helps when they're so photogenic, too!!! Obviously, I used this add-on kit to prepare the layout.

Finally, today's word art is here, too. Sorry that I'm a little late in posting it, but .... well, it just IS! I loved this quotation, too, and hope you do as well.

Take time to do something kind for someone today. Random Acts of Kindness are some of the best currency around ... and one of the best gifts you can give yourself.

Blessings,

Melanie

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Hillary's Hair

Early posting for Tuesday because of impending deadlines I've got hanging over me ...

I've been saving this quotation for Tuesday, March 4, because it is the day for election primaries in Texas. I'm not going to get into a political discussion on this blog; however, I will always celebrate a sense of humor, regardless of who says it.

For those of you have been on the planet longer than 10 minutes -- and you know who you are -- you will remember that in the early days of campaigning for Bill Clinton's first presidential race, Hillary wore her hair shoulder-length, usually with a black headband. Her hair went through many transformations and fashion-disaster claims since then -- and although it seems that she's found her a "look" that works for her and is sticking with it now -- I know it must have been so frustrating for such a serious-minded careerwoman to be targeted for her hair of all things.

I think there are MILLIONS of women who could relate to this comment she made!!!

Blessings on your day ... and on your hair.

Melanie

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Family Faces

I spent the greater part of the weekend getting to know a new family member. Her name is Tiger Lily -- the new little sister to our first Westie, Liberty Belle.

Liberty spent the first two hours pretending the new puppy wasn't there.

Lily spent the first two hours doing a meerkat imitation, popping up every chance she got to get a glimpse of the great big world to which she was suddenly exposed.

I'd forgotten how much care a new puppy took, so I got extremely little done that I'd planned to do. That's okay. It gave me a chance to enjoy a rainy day yesterday, totally guilt-free. Smile.

And how are your family faces today? I hadn't seen this quotation before, but really liked it. Family is so very important to me, as I'm sure it is to you. Hope you can use today's quotation.

On another note, thanks so much to those of you who've left such kind comments the past week. That's more encouraging than you know.

Blessings,
Melanie
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