tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44084593292245792352024-02-19T02:37:12.368-06:00designs by Linda Rme....myself............and you.Linda Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13789043647537711080noreply@blogger.comBlogger120125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408459329224579235.post-56757665541014782512017-05-28T13:50:00.001-05:002017-05-28T13:50:55.888-05:00Who Knew ????????????<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is a photo of my great grandmother Robison holding me (yep, I'm the baby). My Dad on the left and my grandmother on the right. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEine2ATzLf_WOqCCOYKikvGWqVPqnm0tUIYLpkkYuUImUELLV5zKSCGPDmFLyJ0zyDmXq2kM02TgoxlD21heuh1E2md87jBS-JG1woGF2dKqO-k3dZH8EBUfIVQxExDQWAUnd3EWS0E5gMH/s1600/4generations.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="932" data-original-width="625" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEine2ATzLf_WOqCCOYKikvGWqVPqnm0tUIYLpkkYuUImUELLV5zKSCGPDmFLyJ0zyDmXq2kM02TgoxlD21heuh1E2md87jBS-JG1woGF2dKqO-k3dZH8EBUfIVQxExDQWAUnd3EWS0E5gMH/s640/4generations.JPG" width="428" /> </a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A lot has changed since that day 65 summers ago. Now I wish I had asked more questions through the years - asked my parents what they dreamed or wanted back then? I wish I'd asked my grandparents about their story and how they met, what their world was like before I came into the picture. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My parents were barely out of high school, from tiny towns in Arkansas and moved to Gary so my Dad could get a job in the mills there. Opportunities just were not readily available where they were from so they took a deep breath and left knowing they would see their families maybe once a year after that - it must have been hard. </span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWReL_7c60CasrvyxoAPRRg3bxUcO2O_bREKzOZ7D1LdyKOkcMniEDMNz3hGjrGPRV6Oc_bWQgbE7GwdcXmogi6mJ4vxl1Uqa4hLkDeqxrHT5S6KaD2PUx0D2XOQKIXtD9Y-coajPup1hR/s1600/childhood4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="984" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWReL_7c60CasrvyxoAPRRg3bxUcO2O_bREKzOZ7D1LdyKOkcMniEDMNz3hGjrGPRV6Oc_bWQgbE7GwdcXmogi6mJ4vxl1Uqa4hLkDeqxrHT5S6KaD2PUx0D2XOQKIXtD9Y-coajPup1hR/s200/childhood4.jpg" width="143" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nana & Pop (mom's side) </td></tr>
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<li> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAPfDWyI8alvesriO97rUZPMTRlNic1615RGp5QEjWzUgKO7mLxHqb7XvM1FuSZXh39BqAPld2nExlnROxAU59ezZC23JYPSRwATmxzOBQmCw1_VQGsyTphjicbLdGep1D0GGVraS_U7O/s1600/chldhood2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="642" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAPfDWyI8alvesriO97rUZPMTRlNic1615RGp5QEjWzUgKO7mLxHqb7XvM1FuSZXh39BqAPld2nExlnROxAU59ezZC23JYPSRwATmxzOBQmCw1_VQGsyTphjicbLdGep1D0GGVraS_U7O/s320/chldhood2.jpg" width="320" /></a></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHBkeHslbuesEBqxDV1aGkGryeLaL8XCLymMFsbljzAu5n4wNpNrgcOKpU664l2C67T3a4EdmcAJdUlCQHcVgVDRupqCA3eEzhULHb2WsiWgfToKZktpy_aPd062bsFjOtuAC0rhPZh05/s1600/childhood1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="435" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHBkeHslbuesEBqxDV1aGkGryeLaL8XCLymMFsbljzAu5n4wNpNrgcOKpU664l2C67T3a4EdmcAJdUlCQHcVgVDRupqCA3eEzhULHb2WsiWgfToKZktpy_aPd062bsFjOtuAC0rhPZh05/s200/childhood1.jpg" width="145" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_ym5msNYzhwCaTo9vRCa__d-4hyphenhyphenpKKl6I28hXA4SFcoyyza7qpPFvGCoSlCwXBwsaDMRoL9uUKRY5JgFF76witOupc-mH9qTGecqCI8J_dHWPmd7zgMFShpBMO8rm-X2YN3P6411iQbt/s1600/childhood3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="724" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_ym5msNYzhwCaTo9vRCa__d-4hyphenhyphenpKKl6I28hXA4SFcoyyza7qpPFvGCoSlCwXBwsaDMRoL9uUKRY5JgFF76witOupc-mH9qTGecqCI8J_dHWPmd7zgMFShpBMO8rm-X2YN3P6411iQbt/s320/childhood3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Life
was grand - hot summers and DQ - rides in the car with the windows
open and radio on - riding bikes - making tents on the clothesline in
the backyard, neighborhood kids everywhere chasing up and down our dead
end street. Iced tea in glasses with terrycloth sweaters on them to
catch the sweat, lightning bugs to chase, scraped knees with bandaids,
fizzies to drink, bologna or pb & j sandwiches, church every Sunday,
Miller Beach on a blanket on weekends and an annual trip each year by
car to Arkansas.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Trips to Arkansas - The Farm ahhhh so many cousins that I adored, aunts and uncles that were so special, the swing and rockers on Granny's front porch, molasses on hot biscuits, peanut brittle cooling on the counter, swimming at the creek, riding on a horse or tractor, singing while Carolyn played piano, walks to Burley's old store to get a bottle of ice cold pop from the cooler, homemade ice cream, red dirt roads, at the gas station Dad would say "fill 'er up ethyl" to the attendant. Going to church, Sunday school. Nana's in the City ahhhh swimming at the town pool, going to the town square shopping, aunt Tommie's bedroom with all that fingernail polish and jewelry ;-) naps on pallets on the floor with the oscillating fan cooling us down (still love that sound), visiting Mr. Crawley and the neighbor down the hill with the big tree that held the swing, more cousins I adored and only Nana could make the best iced tea, burger, chocolate pie, and chocolate chip cookies a girl could ask for and rides to the drive-in complete with carhop. But the leaving left scars I cannot express - my Mom would get so sad and cry upon leaving - saying Goodbye became something I hated and still find it excruciating. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As the years roll by it is marked by events mostly so make lots of memories, love a lot, take care of you or you'll be sorry later and don't spend your money collecting "stuff" you'll want to get rid of later LOL...we have way more than we need.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">You know.....65 summers sound like a lot when you are 20 - but let me tell you the truth - they go by in a nanosecond. And there are no do-overs - every T you get to in the road, every decision you make - take you to a new set of decisions and another T in the road - CHOOSE carefully - life is a grand adventure of ups and downs, pain and pleasure, life and death. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My parents are gone now, I miss them every day but I am blessed to have a handful of amazing friends. Time is one of the things you can't buy more of - and none of us knows how much of it we really have so spend it wisely.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Put down your ipad - put down your phone - and live a little ! </span></span></span></div>
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</span>Linda Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13789043647537711080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408459329224579235.post-6749333991934414442017-01-01T15:04:00.001-06:002017-01-01T15:10:15.221-06:00<span style="font-size: x-large;">2017</span>.......so hard to believe......<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I promise you, the older you get, the faster it goes. </span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I decided to reflect a bit on the past year and think about what I want in the year to come.</span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I haven't posted in several years because Facebook seems to have taken over in the social media department where blogs were more popular in years past. Now it feels like the blog is more for me and my Facebook is communicating with others.</span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My workplace has seen a lot of changes ending the year with a filing of Chapter 11. It has been challenging but at the same time I enjoyed being awarded Employee of the Month this year, and was allowed a laptop to work from home in bad weather, and make overtime more convenient.</span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had several discoveries this year.</span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Purging possessions feels great and is easier than you think if you keep in mind that the $$ is already gone. Keeping "stuff" in closets or boxes for years doesn't make your life easier and I realized I probably would not use this "stuff" and could never live long enough to read all these books! </span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I finally used ancestry.com to submit my DNA - it has always bothered me that I do not know where my people came from. I was somewhat surprised with the results. 37% Great Britain 27% Ireland 17% Europe West 6% Scandinavia and the rest trace amounts scattered in other areas.</span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I discovered Hillsong channel on TV and their service in NY led by Carl Lentz - love listening to him. I watched Oprah interview him and liked him right away.</span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wonderful series were available for entertainment - </span></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="yiv4557395531yui_3_16_0_1_1480272143002_233421" style="font-size: large;"><span id="yiv4557395531yui_3_16_0_1_1480272143002_233420" style="font-family: "arial";">Poldark</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="yiv4557395531yui_3_16_0_1_1480272143002_233423" style="font-size: large;"><span id="yiv4557395531yui_3_16_0_1_1480272143002_233422" style="font-family: "arial";">Queen Sugar</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="yiv4557395531yui_3_16_0_1_1480272143002_233425" style="font-size: large;"><span id="yiv4557395531yui_3_16_0_1_1480272143002_233424" style="font-family: "arial";">Greenleaf</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="yiv4557395531yui_3_16_0_1_1480272143002_233543" style="font-size: large;"><span id="yiv4557395531yui_3_16_0_1_1480272143002_233542" style="font-family: "arial";">Game of Thrones</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="yiv4557395531yui_3_16_0_1_1480272143002_233743" style="font-size: large;"><span id="yiv4557395531yui_3_16_0_1_1480272143002_233742" style="font-family: "arial";">CSI NY</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="yiv4557395531yui_3_16_0_1_1480272143002_238195" style="font-size: large;"><span id="yiv4557395531yui_3_16_0_1_1480272143002_238194" style="font-family: "arial";">CSI Miami</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="yiv4557395531yui_3_16_0_1_1480272143002_233547" style="font-size: large;"><span id="yiv4557395531yui_3_16_0_1_1480272143002_233546" style="font-family: "arial";">House of Cards</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="yiv4557395531yui_3_16_0_1_1480272143002_233549" style="font-size: large;"><span id="yiv4557395531yui_3_16_0_1_1480272143002_233548" style="font-family: "arial";">Grace and Frankie</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="yiv4557395531yui_3_16_0_1_1480272143002_238193" style="font-size: large;"><span id="yiv4557395531yui_3_16_0_1_1480272143002_238192" style="font-family: "arial";">Outlander</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="yiv4557395531yui_3_16_0_1_1480272143002_233554" style="font-size: large;"><span id="yiv4557395531yui_3_16_0_1_1480272143002_233553" style="font-family: "arial";">Orange is the New Black</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1483103133398_268171" style="font-size: large;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1483103133398_268170" style="font-family: "arial";">Lilyhammer</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="yiv4557395531yui_3_16_0_1_1480272143002_233565" style="font-size: large;"><span id="yiv4557395531yui_3_16_0_1_1480272143002_233564" style="font-family: "arial";">The Crown</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="yiv4557395531yui_3_16_0_1_1480272143002_233565" style="font-size: large;"><span id="yiv4557395531yui_3_16_0_1_1480272143002_233564" style="font-family: "arial";">Blacklist</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="yiv4557395531yui_3_16_0_1_1480272143002_233565" style="font-size: large;"><span id="yiv4557395531yui_3_16_0_1_1480272143002_233564" style="font-family: "arial";">Fixer Upper</span></span></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="yiv4557395531yui_3_16_0_1_1480272143002_233565" style="font-size: large;"><span id="yiv4557395531yui_3_16_0_1_1480272143002_233564" style="font-family: "arial";">I finally committed to using Young Living Oils after some research and seeing them bloom everywhere this year. They are pure, wonderfully made and will have a positive impact on my health and life in 2017.</span></span></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="yiv4557395531yui_3_16_0_1_1480272143002_233565" style="font-size: large;"><span id="yiv4557395531yui_3_16_0_1_1480272143002_233564" style="font-family: "arial";">There was sadness this year as well. Our country was in turmoil, and there were family members that passed and were no longer with us. I loved them and know they are in a beautiful place, happy and whole. It was too soon to lose Prince, George Michaels, Debbie Reynolds, Carrie Fisher, ZsaZsa and Davie Bowie to name a few.</span></span></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="yiv4557395531yui_3_16_0_1_1480272143002_233565" style="font-size: large;"><span id="yiv4557395531yui_3_16_0_1_1480272143002_233564" style="font-family: "arial";">I was blessed with many gifts from friends and family - fresh garden tomatoes which I LOVE, cards and letters reaching out to me which were all so special and I shared time with some very special friends. We went to the casino, out for breakfast, lunch and dinners. I was blessed to share Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve with special friends with big hearts. </span></span></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="yiv4557395531yui_3_16_0_1_1480272143002_233565" style="font-size: large;"><span id="yiv4557395531yui_3_16_0_1_1480272143002_233564" style="font-family: "arial";">My favorite week of the year was the week I finally took a "real" vacation. Tops on my bucket list was to attend an art retreat so I went to Donna Downey's studio near Charlotte NC where I was inspired, pampered and made new friends. It surpassed all expectations and I can't wait to do it again!!</span></span></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="yiv4557395531yui_3_16_0_1_1480272143002_233565" style="font-size: large;"><span id="yiv4557395531yui_3_16_0_1_1480272143002_233564" style="font-family: "arial";">I'm sure I haven't listed everything that impacted my year - but wanted to celebrate the end of 2016 and the beginning of a fresh slate - 2017. My word for 2017 is LISTEN.</span></span></span></i></div>
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<br />Linda Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13789043647537711080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408459329224579235.post-49687220597227315222013-06-14T20:56:00.001-05:002013-11-08T16:00:47.171-06:00father's day....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHwnq_wdmkp31JXiz-gKjT-UhTC2BXifMJAyLm3Yv4F6LGfckFRc0_-katTIy827Z5zZXVS5UrgI6NV28uY_ZyI__9aSX0WXKRCejEpfqIJ1vj2Zvs9XNrcHcNMa_r8gkcAMHK6GigpK1/s1600/In+Memory+Dad_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHwnq_wdmkp31JXiz-gKjT-UhTC2BXifMJAyLm3Yv4F6LGfckFRc0_-katTIy827Z5zZXVS5UrgI6NV28uY_ZyI__9aSX0WXKRCejEpfqIJ1vj2Zvs9XNrcHcNMa_r8gkcAMHK6GigpK1/s320/In+Memory+Dad_edited-1.jpg" width="201" /></a></div>
Daddy, Dad, Father.....those words conjure up different memories and feelings for each of us don't they? For me, it was his constant smile, and always a teasing remark. He earned those titles young, didn't have any idea what he was doing - but did the very best he could. Yes, I got lots of spankings, but I learned right from wrong, that you go up the stairs on the right and down on the left, that education was important, it is expected you be early - never late, always prepared. I was expected to do my very best, that I could do anything, that I could speak my mind and say how I felt, I mattered, and best of all I never ever doubted that I was loved.<br />
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Yes, I miss my Dad but I know where he is and that I'll be with him again....and just like always when I say "How you doin Dad" he'll give me the answer I still hear when I think of him "bout 90 backwards".....................Happy Father's Day Dad!Linda Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13789043647537711080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408459329224579235.post-87021032556082927082013-05-11T16:57:00.000-05:002013-05-11T16:57:30.020-05:00i miss my mom......<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZLgHwLrACrt7AvubzIMdrIs2arRYkyPiVG8Qo9TNQNM6ywVU1cFXNp4cqfjHz-L31WVXp0SUtOPxyStMnhz0c8ONI64eL7o_M5-z_E26kfAsLgUoxA-I-KTCVqYI8eASvzDB-_c1RrFC/s1600/In+Memory+Mom_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZLgHwLrACrt7AvubzIMdrIs2arRYkyPiVG8Qo9TNQNM6ywVU1cFXNp4cqfjHz-L31WVXp0SUtOPxyStMnhz0c8ONI64eL7o_M5-z_E26kfAsLgUoxA-I-KTCVqYI8eASvzDB-_c1RrFC/s320/In+Memory+Mom_edited-1.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
Mother's Day is such a beautiful celebration of the person who has known me the longest, cared the most, sacrificed, and given me the biggest piece of who I am. I miss my Mother every day, but never more than each Mother's Day which always gave me an opportunity to tell her how much she meant to me when she was here on Earth. <br />
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While I miss her terribly, I thrill at the absolute knowing that she is pain free and Home. I was so blessed that God chose her for my Mother, and I never ever forget her humor and wit. She once gave me a card that said "Happy Birthday to my daughter the princess......from your mother the Queen!" We laughed and laughed, she was my best friend. Yes, I was lucky....blessed....and though I can't see her, I carry her with me in every cell. <br />
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If you still have your Mother - make sure she knows how much you love her. If you don't, I feel your pain - i miss my mom. Happy Mother's Day to each and every one of you !!<br />
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Linda Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13789043647537711080noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408459329224579235.post-17054439751244271282013-03-29T14:51:00.001-05:002013-03-29T14:51:40.833-05:00<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> <span style="color: #674ea7;">Happy Easter Blessings to You</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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I've been away from my blog for a while now, and hope you understand.<br />
I've been doing some reflecting, stopping to smell the roses as they say.<br />
It's one of those time I need to reflect, look at where I am now and make<br />
decisions about what makes me happy ;-) and how to change some things<br />
to lay down more "happy" on the road ahead. <br />
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Part of that process has been to privately work in my art journal, try new<br />
techniques, read, read, explore Pinterest, read some more, play with new<br />
colors, improve my photography skills by taking classes, pray and do a lot of<br />
inner work while getting more rest and planning a much healthier lifestyle.<br />
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All of you reading my blog (thank you) from so many beautiful places<br />
in the world are a very important part of my vision moving forward. My<br />
hope is that you see 'this little light of mine' when I return shining bright,<br />
splashing paint, roaring softly, and sharing pieces of me. <br />
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Each of us is completely unique, enough, loved, perfect, a masterpiece. We each were made with special gifts and are healing broken places. I believe our purpose is to use those gifts and I'm working on how to best serve God by using mine. So let's turn up the volume, dance, share, spread our wings and do what we do best........together.<br />
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May you enjoy every minute of this Easter weekend, and take in all the joys of Spring - see you soon. Linda<br />
Linda Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13789043647537711080noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408459329224579235.post-27999128255237611592012-12-07T00:02:00.000-06:002012-12-07T00:02:47.737-06:00I'm a Winner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rWy6uVQfifwHSCC-dgsczTDX4gjt70eGV4gINttqsHMujgjhX8qacyrocVJeqvzreBVT1e7MSE6tGUK5A8hIpi9N73wt7f6k9E4GGte8Fbla19SaQ1_iDz_-QALIJ0n5IPIwuwDINZi1/s1600/Summer+2012+037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rWy6uVQfifwHSCC-dgsczTDX4gjt70eGV4gINttqsHMujgjhX8qacyrocVJeqvzreBVT1e7MSE6tGUK5A8hIpi9N73wt7f6k9E4GGte8Fbla19SaQ1_iDz_-QALIJ0n5IPIwuwDINZi1/s200/Summer+2012+037.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
I don't know about you, but I love entering a great giveaway.<br />
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You drool over the awesome prize, type a comment and cross your fingers
hoping your name is the one selected!! I so wanted to win the book
about Dog Photography - let's be real....I NEEDED help with dog
photography LOL.<br />
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I had just purchased a new DSLR camera and saw a great giveaway from Susan Tuttle. I already had one of her fabulous books and love her work (see her books <a href="http://susantuttlephotography.com/" target="_blank">here</a>). So I held my breath and entered my comment thinking how awesome it would be to win this just now when I have a brand new camera and want to learn how to take cool photos of the cutest dog in the world that just happens to live here with me.<br />
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Those of you who know me at all know that I just LOVE LOVE LOVE dogs!!!! The giveaway was a new book by Lara Blair called "Photographing Dogs" - be still my heart. You can get one for yourself <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1608955400/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1608955400&linkCode=as2&tag=ilksatt-20" target="_blank">here</a>. Imagine my surprise when I came home today and opened the email announcing I had won wahoooooooooooooo.<br />
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Thank you Susan and Lara - I'm grateful, so grateful.Linda Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13789043647537711080noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408459329224579235.post-82521270970639135852012-08-18T16:03:00.003-05:002012-08-18T16:03:43.770-05:00I've been here the whole time....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #660000; text-align: center;">
I can't believe it's been this long since I've posted anything on my blog! </div>
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Forgive me?</div>
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It's not for lack of excitement - OH I've been busy...I just don't know where the time went...I mean 3 months??????? geesh. Of course this is where I am most of the time</div>
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THE DAY JOB CUBICLE</div>
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<span style="color: #660000;">I'm going to cram in as much news as I can, please do leave a comment and give the the lowdown on what you've been up to this summer</span><span style="color: #bf9000;">..........pleeeeeezzzzzzzzzzzzzz ;-) </span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">If you have not been to Brown County/Nashville Indiana - run, don't walk.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">It's the best time!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">Of course I got to stay with my gal pal Joy (that's her on the right) which is the best part!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">Arting, eating, laughing til we weep, shopping, talking, you know.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">We love to take yummy classes to learn new techniques and this photo is our friend Cindy teaching a class on Art Journaling and Altering Books. She and her husband Wayne have a darling shop in Nashville called "<a href="http://www.papertrix.com/" target="_blank">Papertrix</a>" so don't miss it when you get to town~! Tell them Red Headed, Left Handed Linda sent you LOL . </span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">A dear sweet friend, Susan has purchased a "Baby First" book from me for each of her grandbabies. She called and let me know #3 was on the way - so I whipped up a book for her. </span></div>
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Oh, Joy and I squeezed in another class with Dina Wakley!! </div>
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I got ohhhh sooooo inky!!!</div>
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We used sprays, inks and made tags with our new techniques. </div>
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Color color everywhere! Stamps, stencils and wax OH MY!</div>
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This is the inky trio.</div>
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Me on the left, Dina center, and Joy on the right.</div>
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She closed her eyes so if you forgot what she looks like with them open,</div>
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scroll back up to the other photo, ha! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVv40LI6dbu545RNszHdlDZUERKHEhXleB3KpDNsU19jc4ZYOr3OckcsZhJicmMbfTKgYWctzv_IXXHxH1H_GwvSuzqySZ48iDIKfqX252GRaSwtFxKy0HpPHVnvXern0WaPzdseBD2Uz/s1600/Summer+2012+025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVv40LI6dbu545RNszHdlDZUERKHEhXleB3KpDNsU19jc4ZYOr3OckcsZhJicmMbfTKgYWctzv_IXXHxH1H_GwvSuzqySZ48iDIKfqX252GRaSwtFxKy0HpPHVnvXern0WaPzdseBD2Uz/s320/Summer+2012+025.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">We had to fit in <a href="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/menu/Specialty+Drinks/" target="_blank">Cheesecake Factory </a>hmmmmm.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">OH SO GOOD.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">Hint - if you go make sure you drink a "<a href="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/menu/Specialty+Drinks/" target="_blank">Georgia Peach</a>"</span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">OMG!</span></div>
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This is my pal <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jen.z.starr" target="_blank">Jen Starr </a>teaching at <a href="http://www.cafecrop.com/crafter-home" target="_blank">Cafe Crop</a> in Crown Point.</div>
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I've taken her classes so many times and I always learn something new</div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">and laugh til I cry. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxv1Yc28q9AHcq0e5GS3cr7VENLA8sDoBS37wUP8yTeHLCSB9tC9BYYO29uYJfA_UMX6bscVTsfCypycovOFNn7xYsbCW_ZKEBPpVwkB_pEMV3D_EdRNH7VwhE8PWcD7YcN0320AqYsM3O/s1600/Summer+2012+034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxv1Yc28q9AHcq0e5GS3cr7VENLA8sDoBS37wUP8yTeHLCSB9tC9BYYO29uYJfA_UMX6bscVTsfCypycovOFNn7xYsbCW_ZKEBPpVwkB_pEMV3D_EdRNH7VwhE8PWcD7YcN0320AqYsM3O/s320/Summer+2012+034.jpg" width="310" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138;">We finally got a break in the</span> HOT <span style="color: #e69138;">weather so my brother and I ventured out for a day at the Chesterton European Market. Cheeses from Bleu to Gouda, Rosemary flatbread, fruits, veggies, Baklava, crafts, and lots of doggies too...it's very pet friendly.</span></div>
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No, Miss Juliet didn't get to go, and I did NOT ride my brother's Harley LOL.</div>
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Then we went to the Lake County Fair. </div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">I had not had a funnel cake in years!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">We sat in the shade and watched the crowds.</span></div>
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For everyone who has prayed and sent well wishes, I thank you.<br />
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For those who don't know suffice it to say I got the scare of my life a couple months ago when a driver pulled across several lanes right in front of my brother and several others while he was on his Harley. He was air lifted from a nearby hospital to Christ Advocate Trauma Hospital near Chicago with a brain bleed.</div>
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He is doing well, and looks to be blessed with a complete recovery - a miracle.</div>
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Following the accident, he has happily retired !</div>
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There is plenty of summer left yet, get out there and enjoy every minute!!!!</div>
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<span style="color: #990000;">Oh, and please - tell me alllll about it ;-)</span></div>
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I love comments.</div>
Linda Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13789043647537711080noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408459329224579235.post-1219245887437354742012-05-19T10:38:00.000-05:002012-05-20T06:48:48.674-05:00one fine day.....<div style="color: #38761d; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Some days just start off great, know what I mean?</span> </div>
First thing yesterday morning when I took Miss Juliet out ..... I was standing there enjoying the cool breeze in the dawn ..... it is absolutely silent except for the layers of birdsong ... and I realize there is a beautiful doe standing stock still across the street !!! We both stood there watching each other for a few moments and as I took a step forward she <i>darted</i> into the woods. o.k. I thought - this is gonna be a great day - let the adventure begin ;-)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAi0CwwhSe9xgTjGkRm8Pemw-DpEmGMfd4hkOEGRWOursznG2Tvtafccuna3KoNrV3p5KxJ6du7fLKgH-HV855-lfn_Nk_PIRPpzf2prpRF9uJrVeG8CvB8zZ-f8Vw_y5kWO2ixpvkE0f3/s1600/Jane+Purcell+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAi0CwwhSe9xgTjGkRm8Pemw-DpEmGMfd4hkOEGRWOursznG2Tvtafccuna3KoNrV3p5KxJ6du7fLKgH-HV855-lfn_Nk_PIRPpzf2prpRF9uJrVeG8CvB8zZ-f8Vw_y5kWO2ixpvkE0f3/s400/Jane+Purcell+021.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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My gal pal Jane picks me up and we enjoy a wonderful breakfast in town.</div>
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She takes a scenic route to Kosciusko County (Indiana). Have you ever been?</div>
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You MUST go for the day (or two) as there is soooo much to see and do!!</div>
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Did you know Warsaw has a <a href="http://www.thepartyshop.com/" target="_blank">Hallmark</a> with every ornament? Over 4,000 of them!</div>
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We stop at a tiny town called Pierceton known for antique shops, a peek <a href="http://www.northernindianagetaways.com/things-to-do/top-15-things-to-do/12" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>
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I saw things that brought back memories from childhood. But the most fun was seeing things I had never ever seen before. Antiques that appeared to be brand new in pristine condition like spool cabinets, incredible hats and hatpins, a carved and embellished ice box the wealthy had in the parlor (amazing check it out <a href="http://www.sydowsantiques.com/h13804.htm" target="_blank">here</a>), gorgeous mink jackets, leather books, and so much more.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-qB2dSJti_W5kyExCH-ADNLyCfaZ2_IBElXkcttEvfnTlRg1qAKg0IDmyOAr045VSjHmQfVwHY39wYfS_jAJR4Eq4DGcJ_MsnLOxvUImIvljTC6uHDRMpBeTxSWPK0zoUkHXVvBIRZuC/s1600/Jane+spool+cabinet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-qB2dSJti_W5kyExCH-ADNLyCfaZ2_IBElXkcttEvfnTlRg1qAKg0IDmyOAr045VSjHmQfVwHY39wYfS_jAJR4Eq4DGcJ_MsnLOxvUImIvljTC6uHDRMpBeTxSWPK0zoUkHXVvBIRZuC/s400/Jane+spool+cabinet.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
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Did you know the largest and top rated Jellystone Park is there too? I did because Jane and Larry have always had spot there "to get away from it all"...I was AMAZED at how awesome this place was !!!! </div>
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Gorgeous place on the lake, swimming pools, restaurant, tennis court,
basketball, playgrounds, you name it! Jane took me for a ride to see it
all on her golf cart. <br />
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Over 10 miles of road through the park. I was having such a great time I forgot to take photos but check out an example of one for sale. </div>
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This is not tents and sleeping bags, no no no it's REALLY nice and the people were soooooooo friendly. Some live there all summer, some just on weekends and Holidays. She drove along the lake in the park and the swans were out with their 7 babies!</div>
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And from here you can see their boat docked - it's the blue one far left. <br />
No...we didn't take it out, we were having too much fun as it was !! <br />
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Ahhhhhhhh, we returned to sit on Jane's deck with a cold drink. It was one of the warmest days so far this year about 85 degrees. But not much humidity and with the enormous trees giving us some shade, it was nice. We lounged in our comfy cushy chairs, waved at those passing in golf carts. Now to decide where to have dinner??? Thought the day couldn't get any better, right? WRONG...LOL</div>
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We decide on The BoatHouse at Winona Lake.<br />
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OMGOSH, if you ever get the chance, you must try it. The food is wonderful, and the view stunning. Jane had pasta, I had lamb chops - food and service perfection.</div>
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They even had a darling gift shop so we strolled through oohing and aahing.</div>
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I was so tickled to see items by one of my very favorite artists Kelly Rae Roberts.</div>
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So now at sunset we begin our 2 hour ride back to the place we call home...</div>
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but I couldn't resist one more photo showing you the view from the Boathouse!</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUltr6g4KFLqbpUFva0rIqcTBAoMStXU6-aTNGNR2y-m0bygl7UTLfsKZeHQmtJDl5k0qlKXLX0iqCwTIMaIRQmYW30vwUOcaxmc7aP7PunAJnxgSR94C96aUOCc1LIGdUzW6trM39xXV/s1600/Jane+dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUltr6g4KFLqbpUFva0rIqcTBAoMStXU6-aTNGNR2y-m0bygl7UTLfsKZeHQmtJDl5k0qlKXLX0iqCwTIMaIRQmYW30vwUOcaxmc7aP7PunAJnxgSR94C96aUOCc1LIGdUzW6trM39xXV/s400/Jane+dinner.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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A special "thank you" to Jane's wonderful husband (who is also oh so much fun), Larry for giving her up to me for the day and ordering a pizza to take the place of one of Jane's homemade dinners !! </div>
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<br /></div>Linda Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13789043647537711080noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408459329224579235.post-6069480069935052942012-04-06T10:22:00.001-05:002012-04-06T10:40:18.944-05:00happy easter<div style="font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px; padding: 0pt;">
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30536324@N04/4484333439/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Zagreb, Crkva Ranjenog Isusa"><img alt="Zagreb, Crkva Ranjenog Isusa by Hirike" height="293" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2793/4484333439_f5e162daea.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #999999; margin: 0pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30536324@N04/4484333439/"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Zagreb, Crkva Ranjenog Isusa</span></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;">, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30536324@N04/" style="color: #666666;">Hirike</a><span style="color: #666666;"> </span>on Flickr.</span></span></div>
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<div style="color: #660000; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">he suffered, beyond what I can imagine ...</span></div>
<div style="color: #660000; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">he bled, and hung there, he died ...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">for me.</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">~ </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">even with my many mistakes and missteps ...</span> <br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">even with my days of downright disobedience...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">even with a life of days stained with sin ...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">i am forgiven.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>~</div>
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<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">he rose from the dead ...</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">imagine ...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">actually, really rose from the dead.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">~</span></div>
<div style="color: #660000; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> a promise of eternal life ...</span> <br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">for me ...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">for you ...</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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~</div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />Hallelujah.<br />happy easter to you.<br />seek God in every moment.</span></div>Linda Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13789043647537711080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408459329224579235.post-32292666961577840762012-03-24T11:17:00.000-05:002012-03-24T11:18:49.662-05:00winter? spring? summer?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6cikShznHAKELD6i7TjVS8t38Slm-4DSDgjqNySrwLrOQIVN78_VoPUfNaJ6EWmmaQDzIDYW5DhyphenhypheneGIlCC6XZqiJZQRQBDT6MuiErDspwjFW4V-8FFIFLxhmGwBXU6CydQ7Zw0WGnrtOb/s1600/Spring+2012+wild.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="83" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6cikShznHAKELD6i7TjVS8t38Slm-4DSDgjqNySrwLrOQIVN78_VoPUfNaJ6EWmmaQDzIDYW5DhyphenhypheneGIlCC6XZqiJZQRQBDT6MuiErDspwjFW4V-8FFIFLxhmGwBXU6CydQ7Zw0WGnrtOb/s320/Spring+2012+wild.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">Here in the Midwest we have had the mildest winter ever! Suddenly in March we've had many days that felt like mid-summer with temps in the 80's !! Crazy huh? I thought so too.</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9p1OTvLK4C149bUOy-XSnMPTwBJR-D-HeYhn9QPSXlQmnRuJvVA8ViZAjOJv4PH6VFC6oFPEsXjgHvK7Oj9HVKJabnJrZeFnzYMjfSd32xktYv6hVrD4EQXE6-AwV7zbt4hSnW8knw-Y/s1600/Spring+2012+flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9p1OTvLK4C149bUOy-XSnMPTwBJR-D-HeYhn9QPSXlQmnRuJvVA8ViZAjOJv4PH6VFC6oFPEsXjgHvK7Oj9HVKJabnJrZeFnzYMjfSd32xktYv6hVrD4EQXE6-AwV7zbt4hSnW8knw-Y/s640/Spring+2012+flower.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">My first spring flowers rocketed out of their beds!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">I was of course fearful that the cold would return</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">and destroy all the beauty but they showed</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">no signs of stopping.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">It got me to thinking about all the things I would love to do but fear stops me in my tracks.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">You know...</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;">the "what ifs"...</span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"> For you, maybe it's starting an art journal - but what if you're not creative, or it's not perfect?</span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">Maybe you want to learn how to knit, crochet - but it might not turn out.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">Could wash the windows, but it might rain - do it anyway.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">If failure were not an option,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">what would you do???</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">The beauty of nature has again inspired me, made me think. There are countless examples that amaze me.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">Just like preparing the garden, I began to clear and purge yesterday. Resetting that mode of hibernation and darkness into one of light and growth. I pulled back the curtains, raised the shades and threw open the windows! </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">I took Miss Juliet for a walk, or maybe it appeared as though she were walking me ... </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">I cleaned out all my kitchen cabinets - tossing expired and unhealthy items, pots I don't use. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">Even when it began to rain it was the straight down kind, gentle and refreshing - a slight breeze ran through the house - renewing every space with a freshness, a newness.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">After the rain, I swear my Hostas shot up 4 more inches!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">I continued my purging frenzy and I think it will continue for several days. I'm loving it.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">I need to attack closets next, then decide which dust collectors are worth it LOL ...</span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">I think that's what it all comes down to...</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">Flowers don't worry - they just do what they are here to do.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">I took another walk (yes Miss Juliet had to come too) before dinner. I felt like it was such a great day - the beginning of a lot of newness, and decluttering on the inside as well as the outside. Moral of the story: refresh, lighten up, come out into the light - be fearLess.</span></i></div>
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<br />Linda Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13789043647537711080noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408459329224579235.post-51356892909849509002012-03-06T20:57:00.000-06:002012-03-06T20:57:47.146-06:00take just a moment...<br />
I visit blogs like <a href="http://aliedwards.com/2012/03/louie-schwartzbergs-gratitude.html">Ali Edwards</a> for inspiration, and I certainly wasn't disappointed on my last stop there because she was sharing a video she saw on <a href="http://www.soulemama.typepad.com/">Amanda Soule's blog</a>. <br />
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That's the way it usually works - I hop over to visit one blog and they refer me to something cool they found and so on ..... I warn you it's <span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">VERY </span>addicting. I took the time to repost it here because I know I feel like I'm always in a hurry, not enough time and the months and years are flying by way too fast and just <span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">MAYBE</span> you feel that way too.<br />
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Well, we both deserve to take a few moments. I think you will be glad you did. After watching this I mean it when I say to you "Have a beautiful Day" !!!!!!<br />
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<br /></div>Linda Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13789043647537711080noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408459329224579235.post-78343760014908316432012-02-21T21:59:00.001-06:002012-02-21T21:59:21.038-06:00has it really been 30 years ??<div style="color: black;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A friend came across one of those glossy ads with a gorgeous picture of an animal and a beautiful sentiment written beneath it. She immediately fell in love with it and brought it to me asking if I "could whip something up" for her Vet as they have been friends for 30 years this month. So..........ta duh!</span></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETdG2WbOn2ndJ2nGTGppCAofm2Wl99nD8fHG5LcfVpikYh5vTbwqTL5SgFi55P76NUCdSjq0k8X6mmXihyphenhyphenUCstq4dDMc75QkETDhh1xmMA1GwbxbC1eJnO357gdEiL2yuD3ox9wLRhZEy/s1600/Vet+30+year+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyiM-D3YC49yVCiGSDcHzB4kdSqlUEHDmwe4CGyK8sl5lsSqNenkz3QDvPh7ak7Sfxa3IHYZC9RmVyMHFJE1hzWEKr5f2na__dcI8qNDRMgxNA56DvX6GZ5ABgzptB6gMACqqXBoTuVzWc/s1600/Carol's+hanging+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyiM-D3YC49yVCiGSDcHzB4kdSqlUEHDmwe4CGyK8sl5lsSqNenkz3QDvPh7ak7Sfxa3IHYZC9RmVyMHFJE1hzWEKr5f2na__dcI8qNDRMgxNA56DvX6GZ5ABgzptB6gMACqqXBoTuVzWc/s640/Carol's+hanging+001.jpg" width="369" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I took a piece of wood, gessoed it for tooth, painted it black. Then found some textured wrinkled gold paper that set off the animal and used black cardstock to accent the definition. I added chipboard I painted black to each side for interest and typed the sentiment on cardstock that matched the piece. I set it off with antique gold ball chain for hanging purposes. She also has me make a card for him every year and he lovingly refers to me as "her artist friend" which makes us both giggle and grin.</span></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjvSWoVkghJ3S-xcfK8v7O9mcVIRdI1Ruur3yj5E2TQ72zuodGfqJKyG1cqEsjzna4FfWkveSTEymPXuITR2kxdu6ar_Jfz_DPoYCLwuvwiW6cMHAFgkd4AEh1tBGXqkiK7TZxbi8EklA2/s1600/Vet+30+year+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjvSWoVkghJ3S-xcfK8v7O9mcVIRdI1Ruur3yj5E2TQ72zuodGfqJKyG1cqEsjzna4FfWkveSTEymPXuITR2kxdu6ar_Jfz_DPoYCLwuvwiW6cMHAFgkd4AEh1tBGXqkiK7TZxbi8EklA2/s320/Vet+30+year+card.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The card shows her current fur-family and the inside is blank so she can thank him for 30 years of caring for her animals and being such a wonderful personal friend to her. You all know how dog crazy I am so this was a labor of love. </span>Best part of all is that SHE loved the way it all turned out, which was a good thing since she had me make a duplicate for her. </i></div>
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<i>Remember your vet - take them a plate of cookies next visit - they are special people !! </i></div>Linda Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13789043647537711080noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408459329224579235.post-74866043823359089382012-02-15T21:09:00.000-06:002012-02-20T06:11:34.999-06:00my little valentine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSvMlgiAoixU-F4n8XIHD55030aHux0Ql0AluOrIofXPEiOIMcV2ZtYI4Uc4Qii1VMiHFwkvPuuvn6WWR1ZJ326g6NdXHUV8Yp52MlD_zHoHp1kebR8IxnzHheGg0abXQ0Z-UC18VYsEB/s1600/Juliet+Haircut+005+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSvMlgiAoixU-F4n8XIHD55030aHux0Ql0AluOrIofXPEiOIMcV2ZtYI4Uc4Qii1VMiHFwkvPuuvn6WWR1ZJ326g6NdXHUV8Yp52MlD_zHoHp1kebR8IxnzHheGg0abXQ0Z-UC18VYsEB/s320/Juliet+Haircut+005+copy.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Who needs chocolate?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>4 lbs. </b></span></div>
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<b style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Love</span></b></div>
<br />Linda Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13789043647537711080noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408459329224579235.post-21583317221841137332012-02-14T05:59:00.000-06:002012-02-14T05:59:13.250-06:00Valentine's Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaO8vYmk_ag4a20L4w_ysCv34x24jnPrVe9H0TKtXsETDgQ1n8hT34DdNrshgwTJ2JlHlb28TjaB-inHH9Bttqc8DcBvRDuY8HHFbRPS3w3ze7MGYSBVGywqt6jpt_1735CGz3mTJ0lwYZ/s1600/hearts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaO8vYmk_ag4a20L4w_ysCv34x24jnPrVe9H0TKtXsETDgQ1n8hT34DdNrshgwTJ2JlHlb28TjaB-inHH9Bttqc8DcBvRDuY8HHFbRPS3w3ze7MGYSBVGywqt6jpt_1735CGz3mTJ0lwYZ/s400/hearts.jpg" width="337" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Pinterest uploaded by user unknown </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #990000;">love</span>..<span style="color: #990000;">love</span>..<span style="color: #990000;">love</span>..<span style="color: #990000;">love</span>..<span style="color: #990000;">love</span>..yourself first.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #660000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">only then can you give it away </span></span></div>
<br />Linda Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13789043647537711080noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408459329224579235.post-17396753853522870832011-12-17T13:19:00.000-06:002011-12-17T13:23:15.061-06:00merry christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF78RXc_FYppPoIOnKL2aebZYXxb5xBAl4cyYWalWnpxdBoCTrhvErdlC2XnqzgdDVVDIaoRTVWuEGlAbxAs-d_hqaMQCCBVLRaxd-gYrcqRasHlKdzbr-3NgruZzbpoJ50hm5sSwxYY/s1600/red_front_lrz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF78RXc_FYppPoIOnKL2aebZYXxb5xBAl4cyYWalWnpxdBoCTrhvErdlC2XnqzgdDVVDIaoRTVWuEGlAbxAs-d_hqaMQCCBVLRaxd-gYrcqRasHlKdzbr-3NgruZzbpoJ50hm5sSwxYY/s400/red_front_lrz.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> photo credit: http://typetypetypeshop.com/2009_10_01_archive.html</span></div>Linda Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13789043647537711080noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408459329224579235.post-67236465099486438742011-11-22T18:16:00.001-06:002011-11-22T18:20:32.549-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/cLj4akmncsA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<br />Linda Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13789043647537711080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408459329224579235.post-81059057959338157352011-10-21T10:52:00.000-05:002011-10-21T10:52:24.514-05:00inhale.....exhale....repeat...<div style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Stepped out my front door very early morning...</i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">oops...need camera!</span> </i></span></b> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvQAKwjxWtrveQ6B0zSHbzRDXRMNMmf_NgqcM_VTouLfTIVv0GXXRUSMT6sp4cZco7tsM6wyzEl66EYtNJeHHalx7zpWDFr4Dt1GsU6Wy6VSmerLauPbnFcer2sHS9ABHJumg6x4MI-7v/s1600/Cropped+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvQAKwjxWtrveQ6B0zSHbzRDXRMNMmf_NgqcM_VTouLfTIVv0GXXRUSMT6sp4cZco7tsM6wyzEl66EYtNJeHHalx7zpWDFr4Dt1GsU6Wy6VSmerLauPbnFcer2sHS9ABHJumg6x4MI-7v/s640/Cropped+3.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>This doesn't compare to the real thing...</i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">but you get the idea...</span></i></span> </b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWYI2WM1Av9-z0QmCCpA9JhlQGUysjexS-L9wJTlVGUUZc5VCQ0axQ27JbebJ5v2IOTyWcEB3riAW_R9tPw_roZHhJjaiILBD7UIkgXPUsmPc96xYabE3XKrNXuFOuPg5lsWpCTw_J4xk/s1600/Cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWYI2WM1Av9-z0QmCCpA9JhlQGUysjexS-L9wJTlVGUUZc5VCQ0axQ27JbebJ5v2IOTyWcEB3riAW_R9tPw_roZHhJjaiILBD7UIkgXPUsmPc96xYabE3XKrNXuFOuPg5lsWpCTw_J4xk/s640/Cropped.jpg" width="507" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: small;">Standing in my bathrobe ...</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: small;">taking the silence</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: small;"> in for a few moments...</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: small;">Miss Juliet looking up at me confused...</span></i></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJhxjSHHZO-EtUIM0jKbXkwrV5Kt7pxd8qG2EOuHlqw2wMDUHENqcM1f40XjMl5XGoS5Zu5ceWnWzXdZFGxS3GUWuNCsvPKrD-S_gwoL3E0g333q1n01qUKJtYBo08KVDuY3pbvKlweEs/s1600/Juliet+outside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJhxjSHHZO-EtUIM0jKbXkwrV5Kt7pxd8qG2EOuHlqw2wMDUHENqcM1f40XjMl5XGoS5Zu5ceWnWzXdZFGxS3GUWuNCsvPKrD-S_gwoL3E0g333q1n01qUKJtYBo08KVDuY3pbvKlweEs/s320/Juliet+outside.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><i>just a few more moments.......</i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: small;"><i>I</i></span></b> <b><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: small;"><i>need this today....</i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hDbf7Wrup-meKr0nmS1nEMTSDJLeWqNmCovcHjcz62K3KTOKtX2RniX9exJx7yjdR4rrvheGMPfV0vJHZhfkMs0XD0l3oSnfyJ0mTSyoc7JZxSAK-iW1YbCo1V3dSE4sLhBgmFl6yxsG/s1600/Morning+Path.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hDbf7Wrup-meKr0nmS1nEMTSDJLeWqNmCovcHjcz62K3KTOKtX2RniX9exJx7yjdR4rrvheGMPfV0vJHZhfkMs0XD0l3oSnfyJ0mTSyoc7JZxSAK-iW1YbCo1V3dSE4sLhBgmFl6yxsG/s400/Morning+Path.jpg" width="387" /> </a></div>
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<b><i>Back to the front porch...</i></b></div>
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<b><i>o.k. o.k......</i></b></div>
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<b><i>time to go back in...</i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3BKA4M655pTGOOpn0qzRGvXmTzRmQDcTagYmCDFFIv-Q1euNPhSb2yD_je2i4ZIWKiC-EtibbUGGg7d26bIHHzjvUUOSpFymTpM5CATBXOZzrHoDls3UqUMqvBJVNconW9Np446_930b/s1600/Tree+outside+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3BKA4M655pTGOOpn0qzRGvXmTzRmQDcTagYmCDFFIv-Q1euNPhSb2yD_je2i4ZIWKiC-EtibbUGGg7d26bIHHzjvUUOSpFymTpM5CATBXOZzrHoDls3UqUMqvBJVNconW9Np446_930b/s400/Tree+outside+001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Enjoying a cup of tea now...</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">What's your plan for today?</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Wherever you are <span style="color: #b45f06;">GO</span>ing...</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Take a few moments to just <span style="color: #b45f06;">BE</span>.</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">It feels reallllly good.</span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>Linda Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13789043647537711080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408459329224579235.post-42342828956712717862011-10-08T17:47:00.001-05:002011-10-08T17:47:57.390-05:002011 going ...going...
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #783f04;">So how have you been? What have you been up to?</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-H92SUNcNCws1qehTvwn8S7PBWd2NxdGYAJM4B5nzQ6vypZwjlV57YF7xeN38fVb9iyhB8EAGCWw_d2zCk2sGL8AMlwkMbbKrJ9S6w2tj4z_lbzAfBMkup2zfFvZIPUB9JlRZOfI1hMTG/s1600/pumpkinslabel-graphicsfairy008c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-H92SUNcNCws1qehTvwn8S7PBWd2NxdGYAJM4B5nzQ6vypZwjlV57YF7xeN38fVb9iyhB8EAGCWw_d2zCk2sGL8AMlwkMbbKrJ9S6w2tj4z_lbzAfBMkup2zfFvZIPUB9JlRZOfI1hMTG/s400/pumpkinslabel-graphicsfairy008c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> </span> Maybe it's just me, but the older I get (and this is happening faster than I thought possible) the more amazed I am at how fast the years flip by.</div>
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At the beginning of the year I started a list - you know - so maybe I could do a letter at the end of the year, like a recap looking back. And you know what has happened? I ended up with 1 or 2 things on the list - <span style="color: #f1c232;">WHY</span> ?? Because I was only writing down what I thought was the <b>BIG </b>stuff. </div>
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Now that the end of the year approaches I realize that it's all the <span style="font-size: xx-small;">little</span> things, each day that make up <b>MY LIFE</b>. I need to take <span style="font-size: large;">more</span> photos and document the <i style="color: #e69138;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">grins</span></i><span style="color: #e69138;">,</span> <i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #76a5af;">giggles</span> </span></i>and <i style="color: #6aa84f;">things</i> I overcome each day. All those moments, especially the ones spent with those I <i style="color: #cc0000;">love</i> being with and around. </div>
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Each day I open my eyes is a gift.</div>
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I am so blessed to have a job.</div>
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I have some WONDERFUL friends.</div>
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I'm working on something reallllly BIG for 2012.</div>
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Linda Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13789043647537711080noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408459329224579235.post-73626688841368213562011-08-29T11:32:00.000-05:002011-08-29T11:34:23.628-05:00I dare you - not to be amazed<span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Yesterday I had the pleasure of spending all evening with a very special friend - we ate, laughed, shared updates and dreamed a bit too. One of the things she told me about was this young girl. A girl named <a href="http://rhema./"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: small;"></span></a><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: small;"><a href="http://rhemamarvanne.com/"><i><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Rhema</span></i></a></span>. </span></span></span><br />
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Linda Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13789043647537711080noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408459329224579235.post-31964278272267387842011-08-17T20:48:00.003-05:002011-08-17T21:06:02.090-05:00Inspiration<div style="font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px; padding: 0pt;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/karenhunnicutt/3319587586/" title="Inspiration"><img alt="Inspiration by karenmeyere" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3388/3319587586_0c931fc7c4.jpg" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small; margin: 0pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/karenhunnicutt/3319587586/"> Inspiration</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/karenhunnicutt/">karenmeyere</a> on Flickr.</span></div>
Maybe you're like me, and some days you need outside stimulation for inspiration. I turn to blogs - my favorite place to find what I need..... and some even have awesome giveaways to celebrate milestones (you'll see what I mean later).<br />
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Some days it's a new recipe. Next week it might be a new color combination. I would love for you to share what your favorite blogs are whether you turn to them for gardening ideas, painting old furniture or decorating ideas or whatever ;-)<br />
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If you are new to blogs - all you need to do is begin with one - many of them have their favorite blogs listed in the side column on their blog. You can click on one and check their list, and so on and so on....or you can come back to the original list and try another one.<br />
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It's addicting !! I warned you - but so delicious. Just in case you are new to the idea - I'll list a few of my new finds for you.<br />
<a href="http://wordsofmeproject.blogspot.com/2011/08/400-posts300-followers-give-away.html?showComment=1313630205255#c203496802110755662">Words of Me Project</a> - super cool giveaway <br />
<a href="http://www.twicelovely.com/">Twice Lovely</a><br />
<a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/">The Pioneer Woman</a><br />
<a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/">Fly Lady</a><br />
<a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/">A Holy Experience</a><br />
<a href="http://simplyrecipes.com/">Simply Recipes</a><br />
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Hope I added a slice of Bliss to your day...Linda Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13789043647537711080noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408459329224579235.post-70864323426145288372011-08-01T15:55:00.002-05:002011-08-01T15:56:35.188-05:00luck = preparation + opportunity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Girls just wanna have fun, right????????</span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;">I say you can never take too many classes, or have too much fun. There is so much goodness that goes on at The Creative Connection - it makes my heart go pitter patter. And I want to be there - I do.</span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">3 DAYS OF CREATING !!</span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #274e13;">It's all happening in Minnesota September 15-17th which is my favorite time of year. There are workshops, and tons of inspiration from amazing women like Stacy Jullian, Holly Becker, Cristina Ferrare and more...you can check it out </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.thecreativeconnectionevent.com/" style="color: orange;">HERE</a>.</span> </span></span></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;">So, why would I want to win this awesome trip you ask? Well, my friend and I have a dream. It's about business, creating, and sharing what we've learned along the way. It's about blogging, writing, being enough, inspiring others and we think Creative Connection is what we need to take us to the next level. We're dreaming of workshops, shopping at the marketplace, hearing keynote speakers and artists and being exposed to all types of art - handmade!! </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">My fingers and toes are crossed.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm waving to the fickle finger of fate.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I am quietly roaring "pick me"...</span></span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></i></div>
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Linda Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13789043647537711080noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408459329224579235.post-57772363867315237322011-07-30T22:59:00.003-05:002011-07-30T23:13:09.084-05:00just sayin'<div style="font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px; padding: 0pt;">
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<span style="margin: 0pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wyrdcrow/137571251/"> </a><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Leap, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wyrdcrow/">Wyrd</a> on Flickr.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One of my most favorite places is <span style="color: #783f04;">Brave Girls Club</span> ! They have a feature called "<span style="color: #e69138;">Daily Truths</span>" that come to you in the form of an email that say "<span style="color: #93c47d;">a little bird told me</span>"........ cute huh? </span></span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">They are wonderful pearls of wisdom, whispers really....speaking to the very core of <span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;">YOU</span>. The team at Brave Girls has asked us to select our favorite Daily Truth to be entered in a big giveaway, which is such a difficult task! Want to know what mine is? o.k. o.k. Check <a href="http://www.bravegirlsclub.com/dailytruths/aug2410.htm">here</a>.<br /><br /><br />If you think about it, we all have dreams (big and small), things we would like to do, places to see and ideas waiting to fully bloom. I thought about mine, and realized there is NOTHING stopping me...all I have to do is take one baby step toward what I want...then one more and eventually I will succeed. FEAR? sure but not so much if I don't think about going from 0-100 all at once - but if I just keep moving forward I'll get there.<br /><br /><br />Maybe for you it's about stopping a bad habit, or beginning to get a grip on that clutter you've collected, or maybe beginning or finishing a college degree. One of my biggest goals in my 40's was to earn a degree and when I was sharing that dream (yet again) with someone - he said why don't you do it? I said ...well it'll take 6 years while working full time and you know how old I'll be? He said....so how old will you be if you DON'T do it? duh....(bfo as my good friend would say - blinding flash of the obvious). So I did it - one class at a time.<br /><br />My little birdie speaks of the longing deep inside and I don't know about you but I know what she speaks of, and it's time!!!! I'm holding myself back and it's time to leap and let the net appear....take that first baby step...claim the life I'm meant to live - FULLY - OUT LOUD....and I think I'll do just that !!!!!!!!! Yep, I'm scared....but I'm at the place where NOT doing it is more painful ...here I come.... quietly roaring. <br /><br /><br />How about you? Go ahead, sign up for Daily Truths <a href="http://bravegirlsclub.com/a-little-bird-told-me-daily-truth-emails">here</a>, and see what stirs in YOUR soul and step out there.</span></div>
Linda Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13789043647537711080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408459329224579235.post-77317675448071867922011-07-09T17:51:00.006-05:002011-07-10T18:53:51.276-05:00Wanna know a secret ???<div style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="color: #6aa84f;">I HAVE NEGLECTED MY BLOG !!! </b></span></i></div>
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<i>I'd like to tell you it is because I was without any form of communication on a</i></div>
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<i> <span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">TROPICAL <span style="color: #3d85c6;">ISLAND</span></span></span></span> </span><span style="color: #351c75;"> p</span><span style="color: #741b47;">a</span><span style="color: #f1c232;">i</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">n</span><span style="color: #274e13;">t</span><span style="color: #c27ba0;">i</span><span style="color: #134f5c;">n</span><span style="color: #660000;">g</span> a masterpiece - </i></div>
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<i>but that would be a lie ! I was simply not paying attention when several weeks slipped right past me.</i></div>
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<i>Connie over at <a href="http://www.dirtyfootprints-studio.com/2011/07/big-juicy-freaking-awesome_05.html"><u>Dirty Little Footprints Studio</u></a> got my attention today and has convinced her readers to expose one of our art journaling secrets in exchange for a chance to win a great prize in her giveaway <a href="http://www.dirtyfootprints-studio.com/2011/07/big-juicy-freaking-awesome_05.html">here</a>. You can enter too by the way...</i></div>
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<i style="color: #bf9000;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My secret is that I don't art journal as much as I would love to because I feel like I'm wasting product! After all no one will see it except me - right? I love that an art journal is my place to experiment with new product, mediums and techniques and that part of the freedom to explore is that no one will see it but me. But .....I have to admit that I pass over my favorite papers or special trinkets and use something else.</span></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;">Any secrets you wish to share? If not - I'd love it if you left a comment saying what was special about your weekend ?</span></span></i> Thanks for stopping by ;-) Linda Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13789043647537711080noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408459329224579235.post-76685884927761599002011-06-12T16:05:00.000-05:002011-06-12T16:05:14.688-05:00isn't she the cutest thing ?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghodde9wiebYIEz_NoN6A7f9uuH56aDlTCxROHERwSnbtEesv2Ij-OWZcv38iwL1GUWpcSqyMKoCiUd3WMjqM6ryGhyphenhyphenS9hxQ_nESxmzjKqePfrDFjlEp9pCN9dM-8fnhOShKIcwiLu7v4M/s1600/Mike+%2526+Juliet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghodde9wiebYIEz_NoN6A7f9uuH56aDlTCxROHERwSnbtEesv2Ij-OWZcv38iwL1GUWpcSqyMKoCiUd3WMjqM6ryGhyphenhyphenS9hxQ_nESxmzjKqePfrDFjlEp9pCN9dM-8fnhOShKIcwiLu7v4M/s320/Mike+%2526+Juliet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It's a Wonderful Life<br />
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sunny ...<br />
cool breeze...<br />
perfectly beautiful day...<br />
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steaks on the grill...<br />
Miss Juliet loves a visit with uncle mike...<br />
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Now for a movie and dessert...<br />
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oops, kids sleeping ;-)<br />
maybe later......<br />
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Sometimes I have to just slow down, stop and just enjoy the day. The days roll by so quickly.....it was nice to sit and watch the birds while we talked, play with Miss Juliet and laugh a lot. <br />
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I hope you do what makes you smile today - leave the week behind and worry about Monday tomorrow. For now, just enjoy.................. wishing you bliss.Linda Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13789043647537711080noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408459329224579235.post-80780132042821866572011-05-28T08:21:00.002-05:002011-05-28T09:35:43.559-05:00are we having fun yet ?????????????????<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;">M</span><span style="color: blue;">em</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">o</span><span style="color: blue;">ri</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">a</span><span style="color: blue;">l</span> <span style="color: blue;">D</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">a</span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;">y</span> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">is the first really big summer celebration. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">What do you have planned and how are you spending this weekend? Most of us are either watching a parade, going to a picnic, spending a day at the beach, or perhaps you are traveling to see loved ones to spend time together. For me it's cooking on the grill with family - I swear I think you could cook shoe leather on the grill and it would be tasty !!! </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">The tradition of communities celebrating began with Civil War soldiers coming home, and in 1882 the Day was officially labeled MEMORIAL DAY. It was in 1971 that the President declared that veterans from other wars would be included as well. So we celebrate, as is our tradition all the men and women who served and most important - we remember. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Whether your celebration today is BIG or small, inside or out, at home or away, on land or water.....ENJOY!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
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