Bloom

Getting The Word Out

2011-01-23T07:28:00.000-08:00

I have only 37 prompts to finish to arrive at the completion of the Your Life Spelled Out journal that will be published this year. I should be finished by 2/15 as that is my deadline.

I already am thinking of another book project. I will be writing as essay book about 40 people that are experiencing or have experienced mid life crisis . I will record what they went through or are going through and where they ended up on the other side.

I will be interviewing for the book after the Journal is finished (mid February).

If you are in fact in the middle of a mid life crisis or on the other side of one and would like to be considered please comment or email me at smsummerville@hotmail.ocm and I will ad you to my list to contributors to interview.

2011-01-22T05:47:00.000-08:00

It's been awhile since I have share photos of the grandbabies so here you go. Tyler is 5, Aubrey is 1 and Wyatt is 2. My little iphone babies!

Continuing

2011-01-16T05:39:00.000-08:00

Continuing to work on the new blog, continuing to grieve the loss of Olivia, continuing to wake up in the middle of the night and not be able to fall back asleep, continuing to fantasize about another life, continuing to to write the book, continuing to set goals, continuing to shed pounds, continuing to create art, continuing to ponder everything about my life, continuing to be depressed, continuing to move forward, continuing to make life changing decisions, continuing to get to know myself, continuing to accept myself, continuing to learn to really be myself one day at a time.

Welcome to my Mid-Life Crisis

The Year Of....

2011-01-10T06:13:00.000-08:00

I have named years for the past 10. For example, one year I named the Year Of Growth. I will NEVER do that again. Ha!

So when it came time to name this year I found myself in such a negative place that I decided that naming it just might not be such a wonderful idea.

I believe that feeling like I have no life of my own (self pity..YUK), looking in the mirror and for the first time really seeing signs of aging and realizing that (Yes Susan You Are Really That Old) and the death of a child that I was very close to was the catalyst for my uncharacteristic way of thinking (and acting I might add). I believe they call that mid life crisis. So in an attempt to reign myself in and handle this time of life with some dignity and not make any rash wild decision or act out any more than I already have, I have decided to start a contributing blog (that everyone may contribute to) that addresses the issues of mid life and baggage we have not dealt with that we drag into it. I will let you know when it is up and running.

For now this blog will be used to update anyone that cares what is happening in my life and the lives of the people I am closest to. I know ...boring huh!

This year Tyler will be 6, Wyatt will be 3 , Aubrey will be 2 and Mom will turn 70!
Hannah is getting married on June 3rd.
Camp Ed Bear is June 4th,5th and 6th
Akron Walks For Autism is June 18th (I am on the board of The Greater Akron Autism Society)
I probably will have to go to Asia at least once and I HATE even thinking about it.
I am going to Hawaii for the first time at the end of this month. That is something I am looking forward to.

I am diving into Art. Working on an Art Journal. Great Therapy for me and I desperately need it right now.

I am finding that the people I can act completely crazy with and they think nothing less of me are the people I need to be around. I have just a couple of those and God knows how I treasure their friendship.

Working on a gratitude list which is something I encourage all of my friends to do. It really helps put life back in perspective.

Drop me a comment and let me know how your year is starting out!

Sending Love,
Susan

I have learned in my life that the people you can act completely crazy with and they think nothing less of you are the ones you need to keep around.

My end of year letter went out!

2010-12-27T11:13:00.000-08:00

Each December I send a thank you letter out to five people that have impacted, influenced or touched my life during the year. I always write them the week after Christmas and make sure they are in the mail before the first of the next year.
I have them finished and in the mail as of today. I love this tradition. It helps me stay focused on the blessings in my life and also enables me to do something that I believe should always be done. Acknowledge how important people are in my life.

Christmas 2010

2010-12-25T16:30:00.000-08:00

A Christmas Letter to the People I Love

The Christmas letter will be a little different this year. The focus will be on lessons learned instead of what has happened in our family this past year.
My little friend Olivia passed away on December 11th. She was a light in the lives of so many. She taught me so many things in our few years together. She taught me that
• You must love with ALL of your heart ALL of the time, even if you know you may hurt in the end.
• If you don’t like the way they cook your bacon, send it back.
• If you want to create art you should stop talking about it and just do it.
• Always think of others before yourself.
• Some rules really are there for a reason.
• No one else but you can put a voice to your opinion so voice it often.
• It’s alright to have more than one favorite color.
• You can love many people at the same time, all for different reasons.
• Some people are brought into your life for a special reason. Pay attention so you don’t miss it.
• Rocket Popsicles ROCK. Why have just one flavor when you can have three!

More than anything she taught me that one life CAN make a difference in the world. She left me with the desire to try to make a difference in someone’s life each day of 2011.
Oh and the family is beautiful and well. We wish you all a blessed Christmas surrounded by people you love.
I leave you with a favorite poem of mine. I was not surprised to find out that it was also one of Olivia’s favorites.

Hug O'War

I will not play at tug o' war.
I'd rather play at hug o' war,
Where everyone hugs
Instead of tugs,
Where everyone giggles
And rolls on the rug,
Where everyone kisses,
And everyone grins,
And everyone cuddles,
And everyone wins.

Sheldon Allan Silverstein

With Love and Hugs Too,
Susan

Luke 2:9-12

Catching Up

2010-08-16T06:34:00.000-07:00

Well as you all know it is that time of the year again for me..PROJECT ED BEAR time. The dinner/auction is on Monday, November 29th. I held the first committee meeting on the 10th of this month. We had a nice turn out and a great group of people on the committee this year! :-)

The website is lame but up and the blog is up and running!

www.projectedbear.org
www.yourprojectedbear.blogspot.com

Aubrey just turned 10 month AND has started to walk. She is so beautiful. I will be posting new pictures soon. Wyatt is as gorgeous as ever and was diagnosed a few days after his second birthday with autism. Tyler just turned 5 and will start kindergarten in September.

Skip and I will not be traveling out of the country again until next year and for that I am very grateful. I was sick for 2 entire months after returning home from Asia in April.

I have a journal prompt blog up and running since January and have a nice following. I am in the middle of writing a journal prompt book.

Come visit at www.yourlifespelledout.blogspot.com

I am the newest Board Member of The Autism Society of Greater Akron.

My most (fun) news is that I went ot Michael Symond (IRON CHEF) house recently as part of a fundraiser for Autism Speaks. Pictures above..We LOVEd it. Skip and I are both such FOODIES that is was just heaven for us.

I will be posting more often..yeah..I know I said that before but now that I have decided to make this the (What's going on in my life blog) instead of the (inspiration sharing) blog that it started out as..it will really happen. Watch for it!

Hey..have a great day!!!

Susan

Hot Off The Press

2010-07-31T05:52:00.000-07:00

Come Join Me

2010-07-05T05:29:00.001-07:00

I am now a Administrative Design Team member at Creative Scrapbooking Divas.
Come join me at http://divascreativas.ning.com.

Stop by my page and say hello!

Happy 4th of July!

2010-07-04T07:00:00.001-07:00

WELCOME TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Please remember only two
defining forces have ever offered to die for you: JESUS CHRIST and the
AMERICAN SOLIDER. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.
GOD BLESS THE USA!

Honorary Guest Desiger on Gutter Girlz

2010-07-01T06:23:00.001-07:00

Just a shout out to let everyone know that I am the Honorary Guest Designer for Gutter Girlz this month.You will find some of my art journaling and an interview there. Check it out at http://guttergirlz.blogspot.com!

New off the press!

2010-06-30T04:47:00.000-07:00

Give Away going on over at

2010-06-30T04:35:00.000-07:00

YOUR LIFE SPELLED OUT

http://yourlifespelledout.blogspot.com

Blog Giveaway

2010-06-28T13:21:00.001-07:00

just a shout out to let you know there is a stamp and gift card giveaway over at

http://yourlifespelledout.blogspot.com/2010/06/questions-and-blog-giveaway.html

hope you win!

Creations

2010-06-26T09:35:00.001-07:00

Guest Art Journal Designer Call

2010-06-25T06:38:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to let everyone know that there is a Guest Art Journal Designer Call over at You r Life Spelled Out journal and art journal blog.

http://yourlifespelledout.blogspot.com/2010/06/if-and-guest-art-jouranl-designer-call.html

Scrap That Baby

2010-06-24T05:57:00.001-07:00

This is my page for the prompt at Scrap That Baby! (favorite things)

Amazing

2010-06-23T04:34:00.001-07:00

I attended the Power of the Purse Luncheaon yesterday and heard an amazing young woman speak. Jessica Clements is a local female solider that had a 2 chance of living after being hit by a roadside bomb. Her story of perseverance and gratitude was one I will never forget.

Wanted to share with you that I am trying out for the Design Team on Tally. I am their guest designer this month. I came on board a little late in the challenge. Here is the link.. http://www.tallyscrapper.com/myTally.php
please come check it out. I am victorinagirl on Tally. For all of my scrappy friends I KNOW you would love it there.

Talk to you SOON!

ANGRY!

2010-06-21T14:47:00.000-07:00

My Layout for the Dirty Scraps Challenge. You can link directly to Dirty Scraps at the lower right hand side of this blog!

The Best Kind Of Fun!

2010-06-21T10:18:00.000-07:00

Here is my layout for the Category Stories Challenge this month. You can link onto Category Stories at the lower left hand side of the blog!!

Life In The Fast Lane

2010-06-19T05:55:00.000-07:00

We are home from Chicago on our week long very successful buisness trip. I can not believe how much our little back yard garden grew in the week we were gone.

I am busy writing the book, working on design team projects and have started the beginning work for the 16th annual Project Ed Bear Dinner/Auction that will be held in November.

How are you blooming? What are you working on right now? and before you sigh and say nothing..I am just a stay at home mom..let me remind you that there is no higher calling, no job more important. A bit of wisdom to share with you as a now grandmother. I drop everything for my grandchildren. I try to spend quality time with each of them each week. I didn't always do that as a mommy of four. I let everyday burdens and worries get in the way of living in the moment. I will never let that happen again.

Excited things coming up on Bloom Where You Are Planted..keep watching.

Check out my other blog and join us on a jounraling journey.

http://yourlifespelledout.blogspot.com

See you soon!

Guest Designer Work For Tallyscrapper

2010-06-09T04:38:00.001-07:00

I am guest designer over at Tallyscrappers this month and wanted to share their wonderful June Kit with you.
All of the above layouts were made from the JUNE kit available at
http://www.tallyscrapper.com/

You can directly access Tally under my favorites on the right!

Camp Chops Pictures

2010-06-07T05:13:00.001-07:00

I wanted to share some of the pictures from Camp Chops (camp for children with cancer)Arts area. The pictures shown are ictures of our kids making All About Me pages for their parents and gretting cards. Some of which they took home and some of which will be auctioned off as a set at our annual Project Ed Bear dinner/auction on November.

Praise

2010-06-05T02:44:00.000-07:00

I am up today bright and early at 4:50a.m. getting ready to go to Camp Chops (camp for children with cancer) to do all of the art activities with them today.

16 years ago my son was diagnosed with bone tumors. We all (including the doctors) thought he had cancer. He did not. He has a rare disease called McCune Albright syndrome.

After being on the cancer ward post surgery we both ffelt led to do do something with children suffering from cancer. His idea was to give Teddy Bears to every child (he was 11 then) and so we started Project Ed Bear. Project Ed Bear is an not for profit all volunteer organization dedicated to providing comfort and needs for pediatric oncology patients in Ohio.

To say this little idea has grown into something huge is a great understatement.
I am running the art program for Camp Chops but Project Ed Bear pays for the entire camp for all of the children.This is just one of many many things that Project Ed Bear does now. We even have college scholarships. Our accountant is working on an exact number for an appreciation event that Children's Hospital is doing for Project Ed Bear but I feel it is safe to say that over the last 16 years Project E Bear has given the children and the hospital over $350,000 in gift and services.I will let you know the actual number when i get it. Praise God!

Thanks for letting me share this very special part of my life with you!

Have a blessed day.

Sharing a few new pictures and BLOG of the day!

2010-06-04T06:26:00.001-07:00

My Wyatt. He is our youngest grandson. He just turned 2 in April.
Our Tyler. He is our oldest grandon. He will be 5 in July.
Our Aubrey. She is out only graddaughter. She is almost 8 months.

Our Blog Spotlight is a manufactures Blog that I personally LOVE. All my artist friends will want to check this out. The offer free tutorials and feature great projects. http://modpodgerocks.blogspot.com/

I will be back Sunday y'all.

Sprouting

2010-06-03T08:15:00.001-07:00

Here is the Sprout grower (or sprouter as I like to call it) that my husband gave me. There are three trays but I decided to only use two this first time. I spread a thin layer of seeds into both trays.
Then I slowly poured two cups of warm water on the top tray and it slowly filled each tray and left the remaining water at the bottom. I dumped that water out and repeated this step once a day.
Now we wait!
After four days the sprouts were ready to harvest.
The bean sprouts were my favorite.

Does anyone else grow their own sprouts?

Avocado , tomato and sprouts sandwiches are fabulous!

Our Blog of the day is a Challenge Blog for all of you that love to scrapbook, create altered art, make cards and other paper craft projects. You will find it at http://divascreativas.ning.com/. They have an online crop with prizes coming up on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I will be there playing along when I am not at Camp Chops (for children with cancer). I hope to see you there.

Running Short

2010-06-02T05:17:00.001-07:00

I am running short on time. I need to leave the house in less than an hour to meet someone that is donating card making supplies for the kids at camp this year..SO...I will post the sprouting pictures on Thursday.

I am Guest Designer over at Tallyscrappers this month. Over there I am know as victoriangirl. Come and join us this month. We have several amazing challenges planned and you are going to love the group of artist that reside there! http://www.tallyscrapper.com/scrapbook/

Our BLOG OF THE DAY is She Scraps. This is the blog of Sarah Rice. Sarah is a published scrapbook artist. She has served on many design teams and is serving on Tid Bitz In Time as well as others at this time. She is the creator of the challenge blog SCRAP THAT BABY . She is an amazing cook and has a fabulous recipe blog A SPOONFUL OF SUGAR. There is something for everyone there. I know you are going to love her. Check out her blog at http://shescraps.blogspot.com/.

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Sending Love,
Susan

And The Winner Is..

2010-06-01T04:25:00.000-07:00

KIM...You are the winner of the gift card. Please post and let me know if you would like a gift card to Barnes and Noble or to Archivers and it will go out to you this week.

This week will be a very busy one.. We are getting ready for CAMP CHOPS (camp for children suffering from cancer). On Saturday we will be there all day doing all of The Art part of for the entire day.

One project we do year after year is ABOUT ME pages (complete with picture)that are framed and given to the parents when they pick the children up. I have many friend that are scrappers, artist and several that on design teams (including my daughter Sarah) that donate the products we use for the pages and for the cards. Sarah and I over see that part of the arts. This year we will also have beading, card making, sand art and tie dye!! I have not started organizing yet, so as I said..BUSY WEEK.

On Wednesday we will resume the Blog of the day feature and I will share pictures and information about sprouting. I just harvested my first batch of sprouts from the kit my husband bought for me last month.

Anyone gardening? We have a small little patch in our back yard.

I will also announce some exciting new..so stay tuned.

See you Wednesday!

Memorial Day

2010-05-31T04:54:00.001-07:00

I just want to say THANK YOU to all of my readers that have served in the military or that have loved ones serving. Words are not enough. Your sacrifice is a great one. Because of YOU we are FREE! I will ALWAYS be grateful!

Today is the last day to post to be eligible for the gift card drawing.

See you all Tuesday.

Memorial Day Plans??

2010-05-30T05:20:00.000-07:00

Our Memorial Day is full this year. We are starting out attending the annual Firefighters for a cure breakfast at our local station, then off to our local parade and at 12:45 we will attend the ground breaking of the new VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK. After all, that is what memorial day is all about. Remembering and honoring those who have served our country so that we can live in freedom. Thank you from my heart to all of you that have served or who have served here at home while a loved one is deployed.

We will have our children over for a cookout later in the afternoon. We will praise God for our freedom .

We will resume the featured blog of the day on Tuesday.
I will be featuring a new blog that I think you will LOVE each day here AND on YOUR LIFE SPELLED OUT at http://yourlifespelledout.blogspot.com/ . Would you like to share your blog with others? Post a comment with your blog address and I will stop by.

Would you like to have YOUR BLOG featured? If so drop me a comment and give me the address of your blog and I will come for a visit.

Remember all that comment will be entered into a drawing for a gift certificate to Barnes and Noble or Archivers (Your Choice) at the end of this month. The other way to enter is to visit Your Life Spelled Out and leave a comment there (you must mention that you read about the give away here)!

What are YOU doing for Memorial Day weekend this year?

See you Monday!
Susan

Outer Banks Dreaming!

2010-05-30T05:16:00.000-07:00

Spent!

2010-05-29T07:04:00.000-07:00

Do you ever feel like you are just spent? That there is really nothing left to give? The idea of a bath and night in bed sounds far more wonderful than than dinner out at the elegant restaurant? ME TOO! As a matter of fact I have found myself there today. I am going to take it easy today (the only day out of the Holiday weekend that I can)..This is a choice. I choose to let everything else go and rest. It will all be there on Sunday. This is growth for me. I don't know about you but I am usually the last person that I take care of. So today I will take care of me. What about you? Do you need to schedule a rest day (or half a day or hour)? I would always say..I DON'T HAVE TIME...but one day found that if I don't schedule time or make time for rest that soon I will have that decision made for me. You body can only take so much stress (both physical and mental) before it starts to shut down. If you still have a difficult time taking some time to rest, look at it this way..If you do not take care of YOU, you will not be able to care for the others that you love . Something to ponder on the beautiful Holiday Weekend.

Our featured Blog today belongs to Marilyn Miller. Marilyn is the owner of MARMALADY's , a scrumptious tea and jam specialty online store. I LOVE her jams (her own recipes) and recommend them HIGHLY. Marilyn's blog, Hearts Delight, is beautiful, gentle and filled with inspiration .

You can find her at http://www.heartsdelights.blogspot.com/

I will be featuring a new blog that I think you will LOVE each day here AND on YOUR LIFE SPELLED OUT at http://yourlifespelledout.blogspot.com/ . Would you like to share your blog with others? Post a comment with your blog address and I will stop by.

Would you like to have YOUR BLOG featured? If so drop me a comment and give me the address of your blog and I will come for a visit.

Remember all that comment will be entered into a drawing for a gift certificate to Barnes and Noble or Archivers (Your Choice) at the end of this month. The other way to enter is to visit Your Life Spelled Out and leave a comment there (you must mention that you read about the give away here)!

See you all on Sunday!
Susan

Eight Gifts

2010-05-28T05:54:00.000-07:00

I hope you love the follow Eight Gifts That Don't Cost A Cent as much as I do.

EIGHT GIFTS THAT DON'T COST A CENT

This simple checklist can help measure how you are nurturing your
relationships. The author of these thoughts is unknown, but deeply
appreciated.

The Gift of Listening
But you must really listen. Don't interrupt, don't daydream, don't
plan your response. Just listen.

The Gift of Affection
Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and
handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for
family and friends.

The Gift of Laughter
Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say,
"I love to laugh with you."

The Gift of Solitude
There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone.
Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.

The Gift of a Favor
Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.

The Gift of a Written Note
It can be a simple "Thanks for the help" note or a full sonnet. A
brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime.

The Gift of a Compliment
A simple and sincere, "You look great in red," "You did a super
job," or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.

The Gift of a Cheerful Disposition
The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone.

These are eight important ways we can contribute toward whole and
healthy relationships. They cost nothing, yet they may well be the
most valuable gifts we can ever offer another.

-- Steve Goodier

OUR FEATURED BLOG today belongs to Tammy Tutterow. If you enjoy paper crafts, ribbon works, fabric arts and love vintage you will ADORE this blog. I spent a lovely amount of time there and will be back often.

You can find her at: www.tammytutterow.com

I will be featuring a new blog that I think you will LOVE each day here AND on YOUR LIFE SPELLED OUT at http://yourlifespelledout.blogspot.com/ . Would you like to share your blog with others? Post a comment with your blog address and I will stop by.

Would you like to have YOUR BLOG featured? If so drop me a comment and give me the address of your blog and I will come for a visit.

Remember all that comment will be entered into a drawing for a gift certificate to Barnes and Noble or Archivers (Your Choice) at the end of this month. The other way to enter is to visit Your Life Spelled Out and leave a comment there (you must mention that you read about the give away here)!

Beauty Is ...

2010-05-27T04:21:00.000-07:00

My daughters and I are huge fans of Audrey Hepburn. I am working on scrapbook albums for each of them and found this poem about beauty that Audrey wrote when she was asked to share her "beauty tips" and am currently working on pages that incorporate it. This poem was read at her funeral.

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands;

one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others.

What a clear vision of beauty she had! Have any "beauty tips" you would like to share? I would love to hear them!

Our Blog SPOTLIGHT today belongs to Keely Yowler. You can find Kelley's work in the upcoming issue of Altered Art. She has been published in numerous magazines. She is currently on the designs teams of Queen Kat Designs, Simply Renee Inc.,Kiki Art and Scrap Tiffany . Her scrap book pages and art is AMAZING. I thoroughly enjoyed taking a journey through her blog and I know you will to.

You can find her here http://www.keelyy.blogspot.com/

I will be featuring a new blog that I think you will LOVE each day here AND on YOUR LIFE SPELLED OUT http://yourlifespelledout.blogspot.com/ . Would you like to share your blog with others? Post a comment with your blog address and I will stop by.

Would you like to have YOUR BLOG featured? If so drop me a comment and give me the address of your blog and I will come for a visit.

Remember all that comment will be entered into a drawing for a gift certificate to Barnes and Noble or Archivers (Your Choice) at the end of this month. The other way to enter is to visit Your BLOOM and leave a comment there (you must mention that you read about the give away here)!

See you Friday!
Susan

Random Acts Of Kindness

2010-05-26T05:53:00.000-07:00

Want to feel good today? Do something for someone else. I challenge you to do one today AND make it nonvenomous! If you take me up on the challenge post here and let us know what you did.Share with us..just not the person you are doing the act for.

Our featured blog today belongs to Gwen Mangelson. Gwen is a very talented Stampin Up demonstrator and if you are in need of Stampin Up supplies she is set up with on line ordering. her blog is Paper Expressions and you can connect to her here http://gwensstampinfun.typepad.com/.

When you visit here today make sure you scroll down to the middle of the page where you will find a video (Mommy Rhapsody) that every mom can relate to. It will make you laugh a good hearty laugh ,and I think you will agree that each we need more of that in our lives.

If you would like to have your blog considered please post your blog address and I will stop on by for a visit or send me an email at smsummerville@hotmail.com

Remember, we have a drawing for a gift certificate from Barnes and Noble or Arcivers (your choice) at the end of the month. All you need to do is to post on this blog or on my Your Life Spelled Out Blog at http://yourlifespelledout.blogspot.com/and your name will be added to the drawing.

Featured Blog of the day and thoughts on HABITS

2010-05-25T04:57:00.000-07:00

I am your constant companion.
I am your greatest asset or heaviest burden.
I will push you up to success or down to disappointment.
I am at your command.
Half the things you do might just as well be turned over to me,
For I can do them quickly, correctly, and profitably.
I am easily managed; just be firm with me.
Those who are great, I have made great.
Those who are failures, I have made failures.
I am not a machine, though I work with the precision of a
machine and the intelligence of a person.
You can run me for profit, or you can run me for ruin.
Show me how you want it done. Educate me. Train me.
Lead me. Reward me.
And I will then...do it automatically.
I am your servant.
Who am I?
I am a habit.

Wow!! Part of the mission of Bloom Where Your Are Planted is to help us see where we are and where we need to grow so that we can BLOOM and touch others around us. I love this reminder of how damaging poor habits can be and how rewarding good habits can be. I am making a list listing my bad habits on the left and my good ones on the right. I pray the good ones out number the bad ones. I will let you know on Wednesday. I encourage you to do the same. We can not change a bad habit until we recognize it as one.

Our Featured Blog today is Robins Nest. You can find it at http://tqmnurse.blogspot.com/

This is the blog of Robin Bettis Novac. Robin is a self proclaimed obsessed scrapper and is on the design teams of Practical Scrappers and Sketches by Tamara.

I really enjoy her blog and all of the links she provides and I know you will too.

If you would like to have your blog considered please post your blog address and I will stop on by for a visit or send me an email at smsummerville@hotmail.com

Remember, we have a drawing for a gift certificate from Barnes and Noble or Arcivers (your choice) at the end of the month. All you need to do is to post on this blog or on my YOUR LIFE SPELLED OUT and your name will be added to the drawing.

Featured Blog of the day and unpdate!

2010-05-24T11:02:00.000-07:00

I will be featuring a blog each day on this blog as well as the Your Life Spelled Out blog. This will be a blog that I recommend and think you will enjoy.

Our blog feature today is Scrapping is Cheaper than Therapy. You can find it HERE;http://keepsakescrafts.blogspot.com/ This blog belongs to Sarah Elliott. She is a creative force. She is also a member of a few design teams. I enjoy her art journals very much. This is the year that Sarah has decided to dedicate herself to her art. I think you are really going to enjoy her.

If you would like to have your blog considered please post your blog address and I will stop on by for a visit or send me an email at smsummerville@hotmail.com

Remember, we have a drawing for a gift certificate from Barnes and Noble or Arcivers (your choice) at the end of the month. All you need to do is to post on this blog or on YOUR LIFE SPELLED OUT and your name will be added to the drawing.

Catching you up on life. I had E-coli upon our return from Asia. It took two weeks to get over that and then we discovered that I now had walking pneumonia and am now one week past finished with the antibiotic yet am coughing my head off and my chest still really hurts so back to the doctor I go on Tuesday.

I am busy getting things ready for Camp CHOPS (for children with cancer). Sarah(my daughter) and I will be working on getting things organized on Tuesday.

I am dedicated to getting this blog back up and running full force and my other blog (YOUR LIFE SPELLED OUT) continues to grow in followers. I am writing a journal to go with the prompts. I am looking into publishing at the moment.

See you Tuesday!
Susan

Brand New Ending!

2010-05-23T05:11:00.000-07:00

"Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending." Anonymous

What an encouraging quote that is. One of my favorites.

I will be featuring a new blog that I think you will LOVE each day here AND on YOUR LIFE SPELLED OUT starting Monday. Would you like to share your blog with others? Post a comment with your blog address and I will stop by.

Would you like to have YOUR BLOG featured? If so drop me a comment and give me the address of your blog and I will come for a visit.

Remember all that comment will be entered into a drawing for a gift certificate to Barnes and Noble or Archivers (Your Choice) at the end of this month. The other way to enter is to visit Your Life Spelled Out and leave a comment there (you must mention that you read about the give away here)!

See You Friday!
Susan

Once Upon A Time

2010-05-21T05:41:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time there lived a princess that loved tidy spaces but HATED to clean. She was also MESSY> She could start a project and create an unbelievable mess in no time flat. She loved to cook and bake but the clean up afterwards she dreaded! She so much wanted to be the Perfect Home Maker but found that she always fell short of that goal. She has accepted that about herself but continues to try to clean up her act!!

Would you like to have YOUR BLOG featured? If so drop me a comment and give me the address of your blog and I will come for a visit.

Remember all that comment will be entered into a drawing for a gift certificate to Barnes and Noble or Achivers (Your Choice) at the end of this month. The other way to enter is to visit Your Life Spelled Out and leave a comment there (you must mention that you read about the give away here)!

See You Friday!
Susan

Two Blogs To Share

2010-05-20T05:11:00.000-07:00

Let me tell you about YOUR LIFE SPELLED OUT.
I created this blog(Your Life Spelled Out) for those of you that want or need to journal but when a pen and paper are put in front of you your mind goes completely blank. This will be a daily starting place with words or questions that will inspire you to reach within yourself and unlock your thoughts and your creativity. For those of you that art journal, I will create weekly prompts just for you. Let the creative process begin. Come and visit at :
http://yourlifespelledout.blogspot.com/

The next blog I want to share with you is one especially for my scrapping/artist readers. It is a challenge blog. SCRAP THAT BABY is for you if you would like to scrap pictures of your baby/toddler, grandchild, niece or nephew or children of your friends. In other words it is really for everyone. I have really enjoyed being creating there and YOUR LIFE SPELLED OUT even sponsored one of their challenges this month. Go and visit at:
http://www.scrapthatbaby.blogspot.com/

Would you like to have YOUR BLOG featured? If so drop me a comment and give me the address of your blog and I will come for a visit.

Remember all that comment will be entered into a drawing for a gift certificate to Barnes and Noble or Achivers (Your Choice) at the end of this month. The other way to enter is to visit Your Life Spelled Out and leave a comment there (you must mention that you read about the give away here)!

See You Friday!
Susan

Created for Scrap That Baby Challenge Blog

2010-05-19T06:09:00.000-07:00

http://scrapthatbaby.blogspot.com/

A favorite quote and an announcement.

2010-05-19T05:30:00.000-07:00

There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it. ~ Edith Wharton

Leave a message on this blog or on the Your Life Spelled Out Blog by the end of the month and your name will go in for a drawing for a gift certificate to Barnes and Noble or to Archiver's (your choice).

I will be back in a bit with pages to share.

It all about

2010-05-18T09:41:00.000-07:00

I love the line in the movie As Good As It Gets when the character played by Jack Nicholson expresses gratitude and amazement at the impact of a new friendship: "You make me want to be a better person."

Who is the person that makes you want to be a better person?

Hello Out There

2010-05-17T06:00:00.001-07:00

I know it have been forever since I posted here and there is SO much to catch up on.

I have been busy with this Journaling blog (Your Life Spelled Out)that I am doing and with writing the book that accompanies it. I hope to have it finished and published in time by November.

You can take a look here http://yourlifespelledout.blogspot.com/

Skip and I have traveled to Asia on a special project twice already this year and I know we will have at least one more trip before the year is up. I have been sick for two and a half straight weeks. It started with E coli and now I have walking pneumonia I am so looking forward to feeling well again.

I am a also busy working on the 16th Annual Project Ed Bear dinner/auction. We had to change locations because we had over 500 people last year. What a blessing! I worked on that and have successfully found our new location.

Project Ed Bear is an all volunteer 501c3 tax exempt organization dedicated to providing comfort and needs to pediatric oncology patients through out Northeast Ohio.

I am super busy working on Camp Chops (Camp for children with cancer)which is coming up soon (June 4th through 6th). Project Ed Bear pays for the entire camp and on Saturday a group of us will set up fun stations all over camp for the children.

My grandchildren (light of my life) are growing up right before my eyes. Tyler will be 5 in July, Wyatt just turned 2 and Aubrey is 7 months old already.

Wyatt was just diagnosed with Autism so we have been rallying together and Matthew and Mindy are busy getting a therapy schedule together for him. He is my little love!

We will start things up again here with some interactive happenings. First to get you back here I will put everyone hat post a comment here through the end of this month into a drawing for a $10 gift certificate to Barnes and Noble or to Archivers (your choice). This will also apply to anyone that visits my other blog
http://yourlifespelledout.blogspot.com/ and leaves a message telling me that they arrived there from here!

Post and let me know how you have been. What you would like to see on the blog etc.

Hey...have a great day!

Until Tuesday...
Susan

2010-04-14T07:12:00.001-07:00

autism-2.jpg

The Yellow Shirt

2010-04-14T02:57:00.000-07:00

An Oldie but still a GREAT read!

T he yellow shirt had long sleeves, four extra-large pockets trimmed in black thread and snaps up the front. It was faded from years of wear, but still in decent shape. I found it in 1963 when I was home from college on Christmas break, rummaging through bags of clothes Mom intended to give away..

'You're not taking that old thing, are you?' Mom said when she saw me packing the yellow shirt. 'I wore that when I was pregnant with your brother in 1954!'

'It's just the thing to wear over my clothes during art class, Mom. Thanks!' I slipped it into my suitcase before she could object.. The yellow shirt be came a part of my college wardrobe. I loved it.

After graduation, I wore the shirt the day I moved into my new apartment and on Saturday mornings when I cleaned.

The next year, I married. When I became pregnant, I wore the yellow shirt during big-belly days. I missed Mom and the rest of my family, since we were in Colorado and they were in Illinois . But, that shirt helped. I smiled, remembering that Mother had worn it when she was pregnant, 25 years earlier.

That Christmas, mindful of the warm feelings the shirt had given me, I patched one elbow, wrapped it in holiday paper and sent it to Mom. When Mom wrote to thank me for her 'real' gifts, she said the yellow shirt was lovely.. She never mentioned it again..

The next year, my husband, daughter and I stopped at Mom and Dad's to pick up some furniture. Days later, when we uncrated the kitchen table, I noticed something yellow taped to its bottom. The shirt!

And so the pattern was set.

On our next visit home, I secretly placed the shirt under Mom and Dad's mattress. I don't know how long it took for her to find it, but almost two years passed before I discovered it under the base of our living-room floor lamp. The yellow shirt was just what I needed now while refinishing furniture. The walnut stains added character.

In 1975 my husband and I divorced. With my three children, I prepared to move back to Illinois . As I packed, a deep depression overtook me. I wondered if I could make it on my own. I wondered if I would find a job. I paged through the Bible, looking for comfort. In Ephesians, I read, 'So use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy whenever he attacks, and when it is all over, you will be standing up.'

I tried to picture myself wearing God's armor, but all I saw was the stained yellow shirt. Slowly, it dawned on me.. Wasn't my mother's love a piece of God's armor? My courage was renewed.

Unpacking in our new home, I knew I had to get the shirt back to Mother. The next time I visited her, I tucked it in her bottom dresser drawer

Meanwhile, I found a good job at a radio station. A year later I discovered the yellow shirt hidden in a rag bag in my cleaning closet.

Something new had been added. Embroidered in bright green across the breast pocket were the words 'I BELONG TO PAT.'

Not to be outdone, I got out my own embroidery materials and added an apostrophe and seven more letters.

Now the shirt proudly proclaimed, 'I BELONG TO PAT'S MOTHER.' But I didn't stop there. I zig-zagged all the frayed seams, then had a friend mail the shirt in a fancy box to Mom from Arlington , VA. We enclosed an official looking letter from 'The Institute for the Destitute,' announcing that she was the recipient of an award for good deeds..

I would have given anything to see Mom's face when she opened the box. But, of course, she never mentioned it..

Two years later, in 1978, I remarried. The day of our wedding, Harold and I put our car in a friend's garage to avoid practical jokers. After the wedding, while my husband drove us to our honeymoon suite, I reached for a pillow in the car to rest my head. It felt lumpy. I unzipped the case and found, wrapped in wedding paper, the yellow shirt. Inside a pocket was a note: 'Read John 14:27-29. I love you both, Mother..'

That night I paged through the Bible in a hotel room and found the verses: 'I am leaving you with a gift: peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn't fragile like the peace the world gives.. So don't be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really love me, you will be very happy for me, for now I can go to the Father, who is greater than I am. I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do, you will believe in me.'

The shirt was Mother's final gift. She had known for three months that she had terminal Lou Gehrig's disease. Mother died the following year at age 57.

I was tempted to send the yellow shirt with her to her grave. But I'm glad I didn't, because it is a vivid reminder of the love-filled game she and I played for 16 years. Besides, my older daughter is in college now, majoring in art. And every art student needs a baggy yellow shirt with big pockets.

This is what's new in our life!

2010-02-25T17:29:00.001-08:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

2010-02-24T05:47:00.001-08:00

Below is a wonderful poem Audrey Hepburn wrote when asked to share her "beauty tips." It was read at her funeral years later.

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands;

one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others.

Thinking of you!

2010-02-16T11:42:00.001-08:00

Live well, Laugh often, & Love with all of your heart!

Habits

2010-02-10T16:39:00.001-08:00

Food for Thought...
I am your constant companion.
I am your greatest asset or heaviest burden.
I will push you up to success or down to disappointment.
I am at your command.
Half the things you do might just as well be turned over to me,
For I can do them quickly, correctly, and profitably.
I am easily managed; just be firm with me.
Those who are great, I have made great.
Those who are failures, I have made failures.
I am not a machine, though I work with the precision of a
machine and the intelligence of a person.
You can run me for profit, or you can run me for ruin.
Show me how you want it done. Educate me. Train me.
Lead me. Reward me.
And I will then...do it automatically.
I am your servant.
Who am I?
I am a habit.

The Positive Side of Life

2010-02-07T13:38:00.001-08:00

THE POSITIVE SIDE OF LIFE:

Living on Earth is expensive, but it does include a free trip around the sun every year.

How long a minute is depends on what side of the bathroom door you're on.

Birthdays are good for you; the more you have, the longer you live.

Happiness comes through doors you didn't even know you left open.

Ever notice that the people who are late are often much jollier than the people who have to wait for them?

Most of us go to our grave with our music still inside of us.

If Wal-Mart is lowering prices every day, how come nothing is free yet?

You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.

Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.

Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened.

We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors....but they all exist very nicely in the same box.

A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

Have an awesome day, and know that someone who thinks you're great has thought about you today!.. "And that person was me

Working for God on earth does not pay much,

but His Retirement plan is out of this world.

The Positive Side Of Life

2010-01-27T06:06:00.001-08:00