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A Fair Day Hug

A big annual event at this time of year kicks off today here in town. The State Fair of Texas opens, and Big Tex begins his booming, "Howdy, folks," greeting to fairgoers. Many people in our office take their lunch break to watch the Opening Day Parade -- and to some, it's the real sign that fall has arrived. (Although we're told to expect 97 degree temps today.) One of my favorite entries in the parade is the U.S. Marine Corps band. They're magnificent and they're such a powerful presence.

Another interesting fact about the fairgrounds is that the buildings were constructed for the 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition, and they have remained the largest collection of Art Deco buildings in the world. There are still a lot of traditions associated with this event, and although I've only been a handful of times myself, there's a certain spirit that it brings to downtown Dallas that seems to herald the holiday season in a special way.

A lot of people don't care for Texas or Texans, but I promise I'm one of the good guys ... and I know LOTS of others who are, too. :)

Today's word art is meant to inspire you to give yourself a hug. You deserve it! DOWNLOAD

Blessings to you all,

Melanie

Font credits: Alex Regular, CK Sugar Cookie, Beyond Wonderland, Classic Typewriter, CK Quick Stitch, Blackout Serif

Funny business

I hope that everyone takes today's word art in the spirit in which it is intended. No disrespect is meant, whatsoever.

I always enjoyed the humor of the late Erma Bombeck, whose wit and wisdom inspired women in particular for several decades. Hope this is a pleasant memory for those of you who are familiar with her sense of humor, and that it is also an introduction to the younger generation of this very clever lady.

And that it gives EACH of you a smile today.

SPEAKING OF SEIZING THE MOMENT, I learned the hard way about 20 years ago to take time NOW to let people know that you care ... that you notice their accomplishments ... that you appreciate them.

Today, I want to send a With a Grateful Heart tribute to my digi-scrap blog friend, Mindy. Mindy has been a true inspiration to me, personally -- whether she knows it or not. I've mentioned her several times in my postings (including yesterday!) but wanted to send her this tribute today as a true gratitude moment. The spirit of her digital scrap products and gifts caught my eye immediately. They have a sense of joie de vivre in them that I think must be a reflection of her personality and her life.

Thank you, Mindy, all the heart you have put into your encouraging words and your artistry! Please take a few minutes to visit her blog today and her shops.

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Blessings,

Melanie

Font credits: Chocolate Box Decorative, CK Fantasy & CK Celebration

According to the calendar ...

... it's now officially past the first day of Autumn. Unfortunately, Texas is one of the US states that doesn't experience the first crisp day of fall until late October, if we're lucky -- but usually it's well into November. I still would LOVE to enjoy the full season of autumn in all it's glory, especially in New England. And I believe our Canadian friends have stunningly glorious arrays of color at this time of year, too. Send photos, please!!!

I enjoyed seeing Mindy's fall display that she posted on her blog on Saturday. Hopefully, we'll get our decorations out this weekend.

I would love to see how you use today's word art. Please send me links to any layouts using it, or any other word art you've downloaded from my blog. It's like working in a vacuum when I only see my own layouts with these freebies! DOWNLOAD

Hope autumn is an inspiring time of year for you ... and happy fall, y'all!

Melanie

font credits: EK Brush Lettering & Andiron Outline

Yawnnnnnn

Every Monday it gets more and more difficult to drag myself out of bed and show up at the office. I'm still needing that vacation I've moaned about ... can you tell?!!

I thought this quotation was all too true, so it's my posting for the day. Hope you can use it. DOWNLOAD

Blessings,

Melanie

Friday's gift

I just made this word art for a layout featuring our 1-year-old dog (a West Highland White Terrier) with a series of photos showing her antics. She is soooooooo cute. Hope you can use it. DOWNLOAD

Happy Friday & blessings to you all,

Melanie

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Today, class, we're talking about one of my favorite subjects: PHOTOGRAPHY. I absolutely love it, and if I could make my living at it, I would. I love to catch serendipitous moments with my family and freeze that moment in time. I love capturing the sunrise over San Francisco Bay or Mount Rainier. I love trying to still the cathedral hush of the piney woods in East Texas or the timeless waves of the Atlantic while watching for whales on the coast of Maine. I love photographing doors in the villages and towns of England and photographing architectural elements wherever I can find them.

This photograph of the California poppies was just such a moment when the light shown through the petals and brilliantly displayed these fiery hues (taken at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, April 2006) -- and another one of those irresistible shots I had to take.

The advent of digital photography has enabled more people to experiment, and I've seen some really great stuff from amateurs. They, too, have learned the joy of this art form, which is so incredibly expressive.

When I recently came across the quote from the renowned Ansel Adams, it said so much about how I personally feel. I bet it does for you, too.

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Phobias

I'm not sure the name of the phobia I have, but I know I've got one.
The best way to describe it is that whenever I spend time at anyone's home, at a hotel, at a meeting ... in a car ... basically, anywhere! -- I have to find MY SPOT. A place where I can put my stuff. A place where I can nest and call it my own for even those few minutes, few hours, few days. It's a really big thing to me, but I don't discuss it very freely. I don't know what to call it, but isn't half the battle admitting that you have a problem?! It's probably some sort of obsessive compulsive disorder thing, but I just don't care. It helps keep me grounded, so there.
Experts say that it is important for children to have a place to call their own, so I guess it's not weird after all, huh. DOWNLOAD

Blessings on this Monday,
Melanie

For Madison's Aunt Boo

Thought I'd get a start on Halloween -- especially for my extremely creative younger sister, Melissa, who became "Aunt Boo" when our delightful, bubbly niece, Madison, was born on Halloween. Melissa loves all Halloweenish things ... but even more, she loves being a Grandmother! This one's for you, Melissa -- whom I can thank for introducing me to the joys of scrapbooking.

Blessings on your FRIDAY,

Melanie

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Boy, are you in trouble!

One of my charming, adorable nephews (Josh) recently had his 22nd birthday. Of course, to me, he's still that irresistible toddler who tugged at your heartstrings the moment you saw his dark eyes and dimples. A heartbreaker-in-the-making.

It reminded me of something that happened long ago, when my mother and I were going on a Saturday outing with my terrific sister-in-law (Lisa) and her little ones. Amye was a sparkling, effervescent 4-year-old at the time, and Josh was two. We got to their house to pick them up, and I went to the door. Knock knock. Knock knock. Knock knock knock. After the third round of rapping my knuckles on the door, I let myself in -- just in time to hear Lisa exclaim: "Son, what were you THINKING?!!!"

Josh had proudly dropped-kick a big bunch of bananas down the hallway.

That little stinker saw in that yellow bundle something that said, "I'm a football. Kick me." and he was compelled to do it.

The memory still makes me chuckle every time I think about it. Not surprisingly, Josh excelled in being a place kicker in football throughout his years in high school. Seems as though they had lots of battered, bruised bananas at their house, huh.

Today's word art is in his honor. Or, actually, it should be in Lisa's honor for surviving his childhood! Love to you all -- Lisa, Scott, Amye & Josh.

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Blessings,
Melanie

Something to think about ...

Indulging yourself in using your imagination as a catalyst for change, for creativity, for knowledge, and, well, for life, is an extraordinary gift to give yourself ... and others.

Blessings,

Melanie

DOWNLOAD PSSSST ...........The password is: magination

A Big Dose of Hope

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Incomparable

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Today

Today's posting comes in two parts. First, I want to award a With a Grateful Heart tribute to Kim. Kim recently let me share some personal things with her through e-mail, at a time when she's already got a lot on her plate. She may not have even read her e-mail yet, but that's okay .... she entrusted me with her e-mail address and was a willing listener at a time when I was going through a hellacious few weeks on the heels of a crappy year. Not every one takes time to listen, you learn early in life ... and yet, Kim so often has encouraging words for others. I've frequently told her how contagious her laughter is on her blog. Her light just radiates all the way here from her home in the beautiful town of Port Elizabeth, and her generous spirit is so refreshing. I swear I can actually feel her energy! Her creativity is amazing, and she's clearly an extraordinary designer. Personally, I feel very privileged that she shares so much of herself with us, and already, in the short time I've known her, I know I'd enjoy meeting her one day. [Don't worry, Kim ... I'm not a stalker! Just a huge fan.] Kim, may your light continue to shine ... and may you feel blessed with all the wonderful things that life has to offer. THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU, MISS KIM. If you don't know her by now, you should!!! Drop in and at least say hello (but you'll really be glad if you stop by her blog and her store).

Today, part deaux: A milestone day in the life of our household ... it's our 5th wedding anniversary. I married much later in life than most people, so it's still relatively new to me to remember that I do have a wedding anniversary. Seems like it was just yesterday that we gathered with our family and friends to celebrate our union. So many things have occurred since then ... guess that's why it seems like such a brief time. Today's word art is something I hope that all of you can use. Particularly by dwelling on the "happy" part of it. Smile. DOWNLOAD
PS: Congratulations to Kim are in order today. She's attained Exclusive Designer status at Digital Scrapbooking.Org ... Brava!!!!

Lessons

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