Sounds like a guy thing

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An Oldie But Goodie

At least it is for me ... I've heard this all my life!

Today's posting is short but sweet. I'm enoying watching the rare summer lightning streaking across the sky this morning. It probably won't result in rain (boo hoo) but lightning always makes me feel alive. And SMILE.

Blessings on your day,
Melanie

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About Friends

If you haven't figured it out yet, your friends are to be counted as some of your greatest assets. Treat them well ... guard them fiercely ... love them. They are precious gifts. If you want true friends, BE one yourself.

Blessings on your day,
Melanie

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Elation

I wouild love to hear you stories or see your layouts about experiences you've had like this!

Blessings on your day,
Melanie


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Bomback on VACATIONS

Although I'm not going to have the privilege of a seaside vacation this summer, I yearn to be taking a trip -- especially while it's so hot and humid here. Vicariously, I enjoy reading all your blogs to see what others are doing, especially if they are in cooler climes!

As most of you know, I enjoy using Erma Bombeck's slice-of-life humorous quotations sometimes, and today, selected two of them. They are her take on vacations. Hope you can use them! Even if your "beach" is in your backyard.

Click on the preview to download the set. (It doesn't matter where I travel, I always end up looking like my passport photo. Shabby Rumpled is the new Elegant, right???)


Blessings on your day!

Melanie

Everywhere You Go

When I came across this quotation, it made me have one of those lightbulb moments -- what a great, simple, succinct way to express this age-old, universal occurrence in everyone's home ... place of business ... place of worship ... on the highway ... everywhere, actually.

At times like this, it's almost always followed by an apology. Which is what I owe Sonel and Dinphy. Recently, they have both bestowed upon me the honor of this blog award:



Both of you surprised me greatly -- but I haven't had a chance until now to respond appropriately.

Sonel, please accept my profound apology for taking so long to respond. I enjoy your comments tremendously and appreciate them sooooooo much when you drop by for a "visit." You seem to be so personable and easygoing, and have a way with people. The magic touch!

Dinphy, you always have such encouraging words and a lighthearted spirit that makes the day brighter. Thanks for the gift of you that you share with everyone. I appreciate so much your listing me as a favorite blog!


So, now it's my turn to pass it on ... and here are the rules:

1. Please put the logo on your blog.

2. Add a link to the person who awarded you.

3. You must nominate 7 fellow bloggers for this award.

4. Add links to the recipients.

5. Leave a comment so the recipients know they have received an award.


This award is an extremely easy one to give because there is a plethora of wonderful people out there in the digi-scrapping world, almost everywhere you go. I will apologize in advance if I'm bestowing it upon someone who's already received it -- that's just the price you pay for being so terrific!



1. Stacy (Upon Eagle's Wings): I've only recently discovered your blog after receiving a comment from you after I posted the first WordWorks set. It took me only a short time after that to figure out that we're probably sorta twins-separated-at-birth. The scripture verse so prominent on your blog is one of my most favorite of all time, and such a blessing and promise all rolled into one. And "prestidigitation" is a great word, too! Thanks for sharing part of yourself and your faith so willingly. I would love to stay in touch.


2. Pamela (Digitreats): Your generosity with your ABC Run Jump Skip kits is BEYOND AMAZING. I haven't had a chance to visit you in awhile, so I'm way behind on accumulating your delightful surprises, but your persistence and dedication are extraordinary. I love seeing the layouts of your adorable children as well, and you inspire so many with your art. Brava, Pamela!! (I still think of you as Princess Pamela.)

3. Silvia (Philsboo): It's always an interesting time to drop by your blog! Even when you were enduring the illness and loss of your dear mother, you thought of others. You encourage so many with your blog, and, personally, have brightened my day whenever you left your sweet comments on my blog. Looks like you've been through a whole lot getting your new apartment ready but I'm sure that your delightful spirit makes it home for your family, wherever you are.


4. Lori (Scrapdoodles by Lori): Then there's Lori. She's a prolific designer whose colorful work is just FUN and cheery. She wrote me a note one time to tell me she'd been thinking about adding word art to her blog, too -- and she has. You should check it out if you haven't already. Thanks, Lori, for all that you do.

5. Lindsay (Lindsay Jane Designs): EVERYBODY loves Lindsay Jane. As with many scrappin' moms, she stays so busy in the lives of her children, yet shares so freely of her talents. She has great frames and frame clusters, and her newest kit (Pink Passion) is an absolute must if you've got a daughter! Or a mom ... or fun photos to scrap ... well, you get the picture. It's a great kit, as are all of her things. I particularly enjoy reading about life in her part of Australia, and vicariously "visit" it through her blog. Thanks so much, Lindsay, for sharing your days with us

6. Tracy (Tracy's Scraps): When I first started exploring digital scrapping and discovering the wonder of the scrapbooking blogs, Tracy's is one of the first I found. I appreciated that she stood for something (her faith), and was in AWE of her sharing her talent so freely. Those feelings are still present today as I send her this award she so richly deserves. You still inspire, Tracy ... every day.

7. KimB (KimB's Designs): Last, but by no means least, is my friend KimB. She's a hoot-and-a-half, highly entertaining, thoughtful, generous, high-spirited, and has probably received this award a kajillion times by now. Her laughter is so contagious, I swear I can hear it here in Texas all the way from where she is in South Africa. Her encouragement to others and kind-heartedness to her closest friends is evident every day, as evidenced by the outpouring of support shown this past week when Jazzy lost her cherished grandson. Thank you, Kim, for the glorious soul that is you.

Blessings on your day,

Melanie

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Broken Road

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Hero

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Being Present

Both these word art pieces are in today's download.

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Hugs

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Eat Your Veggies

Sherri E sent me a link to her entry in a template challenge at Digi Scrap Depot. She used the Miracle of Life word art from last week -- you can see it in the upper left corner. Good job, Sherri! Thanks for sharing.

Hope today's word art is useful. DOWNLOAD

blessings,

Melanie

Thinking

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Miracle of Life

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Add-on to July Artistry

See July 7 posting. :)

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Seriously

Hope you can use this word, seriously. We use it alllllll the time now and it's quite often in a sarcastic way.

I didn't take time to separate the different versions -- sorry!

Melanie

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CUTENESS

I had a moment of serendipity today after posting today's freebie word art for you. I followed a link I found on IDEA Goddess's blog and discovered Donna Duncombe's blog. As it happens, Donna's posting yesterday listed a really cheery freebie frame, which matched her new kit called CUTENESS. I'm giving her a plug today because this kit is just perfect for sooooooo many joyful photos. I went straight to her shop at Nuts4Digi and bought it for myself! Thanks, Donna.

A Good Laugh

My sister told me the other day about a voicemail she heard on her cell phone. It was from her newly married son, who is our family's "Mr. Literal." He's extremely smart and has a good sense of humor, but he doesn't always use the right word for the right occasion.

So, back to this voicemail. "Mom, I was just letting you know we were back home and we had a successful honeymoon."

We think he meant that they had a safe trip, but "successful honeymoon" conjures up a whole different ...well, I don't have to spell it out.

We laughed so hard!!! We're planning to put that in their scrapbook, for sure.

Blessings on your day,
Melanie

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July DSO Challenge

Finished my entry in KimB's July DSO Color Challenge and am on my way to uploading it on the appropriate website. You can get it here in today's extra blog entry, plus a bonus word art that you won't find in the kit.

Hope you can enjoy using it!

Melanie

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What an Understatement!

I loved that this quotation was something said by the eloquent Jane Austen. I need to remember the "state of inelegance" description instead of something more earthy like "sweating like a mule" or "dripping wet." I know that women aren't supposed to sweat, but rather, we "glisten." The only time I "glisten" delicately is in the dead of winter when I make the transition from the cold outdoors to the warm indoors.

Hope this makes you smile.

Blessings,
Melanie

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Art and Artistry

I've started working on a kit with which I can participate in the July Color Challenge at DSO. KimB's challenges are always beneficial to me, personally, and she inspires with her art all the time.


I'm including in today's freebies a word art piece that was designed to go with my contribution to the challenge. I'm still working on it, but thought I could go ahead and share a tiny preview of it -- the theme I selected is about Art and Artistry, and I hope I can do justice to it.


This quotation describes me perfectly. Although I don't always work "very" fast, I'm a hunter-gatherer when it comes to getting all the supplies I need or even think I may need when I'm working on a project. And I THINK about it a very long time! It frustrates the dickens out of my husband, but it's a system that works for me, so he endures it.



Here's your download for this new piece. Crossing my fingers that you'll like it, but if you don't, that's okay. Font: VTKS Sonho.


:)


Thanks for listening,
Melanie

Long Overdue

Okay, okay ... I know this has soooooooooooo much green in it, but the theme of the quotation just called for it. I promise it's more legible when when you get it full size.

I realized this morning that I hadn't thanked my readers lately and that expressions of gratitude are long overdue. More of you are leaving comments now and I have to say that it's highly motivating when you do. It keeps me from feeling as if I'm working in a vacuum and sending word art into a black hole somewhere. Your encouragement through comments is delightful, and for those of you who make donations, a godsend. Thank you so very much.

I'm already in a holiday mode so I'm not sure how productive I'll be at work today. It's kind of quiet so I've been spending time sorting through paperwork and files and sending things to the recycle paper bin. My assistant is frustrated with me, but I reminded her today that it could be a lot worse! She's not really grumpy, just pretends to be.

Blessings on your Wednesday,

Melanie

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The Call of the Wild

A friend of mine reported not long ago that her teenager was moping around the house, using the "B" word, on the first day of her summer break.

I couldn't believe it. The only thing I've ever been bored with was my job. To have a whole summer in which to indulge myself with books, music, writing, photography, movies, television, swimming, etc., was a gateway to splendor each summer. I loved having free time. Don't get me wrong, I had my chores and watching out for younger siblings, but that wasn't a problem.

Now, kids have so many more options than we had, and so many more freedoms. I just don't get it. Maybe they're just not challenged enough by parents and peers to use their imaginations? Perhaps. I don't know. I don't judge, just speculate.

I thought these two contradictory pieces of word art would come useful to those of you with children at home for the summer break. This comes with a hearty, "Good luck!" from me as well.

Blessings to you all on the first day of July,

Melanie

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