Izbzee

a bit on the long side, but worth the read

Today's nurturing moment is:

How far you go in life depends on you being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and the strong.  Because someday in life you will have been all of these.   --- George Washington Carver 

 

Yep, I thought I would start out with the thought today -- so if you were short on time and couldn't wade through the rest, you'd get your "fix" and be able to move on.  Have a happy day! 

There are a couple of things I want to share today...the first being:

 

Most of you know that Howard Glasser and his Nurtured Heart Approach have made a tremendous impact on our family.  This comes from the difference the approach has made in my own perspective, and in my own ability to enjoy with greatly reduced stress - challenging people and situations.  I have seen this most valuable benefit for those who have truly applied the essence of the approach - even if they have not read and studied it completely, or mastered the strategies thoroughly.  It STILL has a most positive effect!

 

Howard Glasser is one of the most generous persons I have ever met, and this opportunity is just another example of his spirit.

During the past several months, "Howie" has been writing about the application or the approach to adult relationships.  We know instinctively that the concepts we have been teaching others certainly apply to us.  His new work provides tremendously curious insight on the ways we can access the "positivity" within our own hearts and have that joy to share in our own relationships - personal and professional.

 

"You Are Oprah: Igniting the Fires of Greatness," is launching in just a few days – Tuesday, June 2.

 

Join me in buying a copy of the book on that day from Amazon, and we'll be eligible for a "Greatness Makeover." That means we not only get the book at a deep discount, but we get access to dozens of bonus gifts from an amazing group of luminaries coming together to ignite greatness worldwide. 

 

These inspired authors include Deepak Chopra and Wayne Dyer– more than 30 people sharing the greatness of their expertise with us…absolutely FREE.  We'll have access to a mind, body, spirit, finance, relationship and life skills makeover, plus "You Are Oprah" – for less than $20.  For me, it's an offer I can't refuse!!!

Included in this special offer is Howard's live 5-week teleseminar series, "The Greatness Practice: Self Transformation" - again, completely FREE.  Howard  will  be personally coaching us through the use of this powerful and effective approach to enable us to be our own "best self" and there are audio and ecourses, meditations and affirmations, exclusive expert interviews on beauty secrets, fitness tips, self-healing regimens, creativity… and many others!  (See below and on http://www.youareoprah.com for the list of bonuses.)

To take advantage of the "Greatness Makeover", just click here: http://www.youareoprah.com, and simply follow the steps.

The makeover offer is good ONLY on June 2.  Don't miss it!

Sign up now and you'll get an email reminder and a link to buy the book that day and redeem your bonuses when you will enter your amazon confirmation number and my name -  as the person who referred you. 

 

I hope you will take this opportunity to catch the spirit of The Nurtured Heart Approach in a way, I believe, that can impact not only your life richly, but will enhance your relationships, empower and encourage those in your presence.

THANK YOU for considering this with me.

 

List of Bonus Gifts – read more at http://www.youareoprah.com:

 

GREATNESS OF MIND

• "Excuses Begone!" an excerpt of Dr. Dyer's just-released book by the same title.
• Excerpt from Eldon Taylor's New York Times and international bestselling book, “Choices and Illusions,” and an audio course in his patented and proven InnerTalk technology.
• eBook,”The Importance of a Daily Practice” to quickly generate peace of mind in the midst of stress.

GREATNESS OF BODY

• A tasty tidbit from Janice Taylor’s, “Blow the Fat Cells Out of Your Mind Cure™©®.”
• Susanna and Puran Bair's, "Energize Your Heart" e-Book
• Ten Myths about Healthy Sleep" e-Book, Rubin Naiman, Ph.D
• Exclusive audio interview, "The Sexiness Coach's Top 3 Beauty Secrets"
• Audio workshop, “The Love Response: Listen, Relax, Heal," by Harvard Medical School instructor Eva Selhub, MD
• First week of, "8-weeks to a Fitter You" e-course, a no-stress start to better mind, body, spirit fitness.
• A 30-minute Greatness Yoga audio
• Barbara Semple's eBook, “Soldiers and Peace Makers Relief: 10 Healing Touch Quick Steps to Instantly Bring Your Body into Harmony®.” 

GREATNESS OF SPIRIT

• "Everyday Immortality," a 1-hour audio by Dr. Deepak Chopra
• Guy Finley's "Fearlessness Starter Kit," e-Book, audio and video.
• “5 Tips to Jump Start Your Creativity,” a 1-hour audio interview with internationally published artist Melissa Harris.
• InspireMeToday's Gail Lynn Goodwin's interviews and first-person articles from seven luminaries: “If today were my last day on Earth.”
• Mega Mease's “Blessings of the Hand & Heart,” quick and easy exercises to move your life forward.
• Elyse Hope Killoran's “An Open Heart: The Seat of Prosperity,” a 17-page eBook with three meditations that will tap the magnetizing power of your heart.
• “Heart’s Desire” Meditation," by Elizabeth Harper.
• Karen Paolino's book excerpt, “What Would Love Do” daily messages of divine guidance.

 GREATNESS OF FINANCES

• Marc Sachnoff's "Pay Less for Everything: 10 Secrets" e-Book
• Peggy McColl's "The 21 Distinctions of Wealth Checklist" and "Wealth-Attraction Affirmations," plus "Positive Change" video
• Michael Koenigs' "Tips To Share Your Inner Genius," as interviewed by Guy Hendricks, with special emphasis for coaches and therapists.
• Lori Hamann's exclusive 90-minute audio “The Butterfly Experiment.”
• Bill O'Halloran's eBook, "A Lazy Man's Guide to Success" e-Book

GREATNESS OF RELATIONSHIPS

• For parents: Lisa Bravo, “Two Simple Ideas,” Part 1 of a 5-part teleseminar series teaching Howard Glasser’s Nurtured Heart Approach
• For singles: Free 14-day membership to SpiritualSingles.com when you redeem your gift by July 31.
• For educators: “ABC’s of Effective Parent-Teacher Communications”
• For everyone: Patrician McCarthy's “Taoist Five Elements Primer WorkBook.” 
• For you:  Free 15-minute one-on-one consultation with Jan Denise about your true self.
• For you: Marcia Breiten
• bach's “Catch the Breeze” audio class to live life’s change and challenges with more ease, balance and joy
• For your life & work: Katie Goodwin's book excerpt, “The Top 4 Skills of Improv.”
• For your life & work: Reggie Odom's “The 10 Commandments of Greatness,” a blueprint for releasing your inner greatness and transforming the way you live and conduct business.

 

I hope you'll take advantage of this once in a lifetime offer!

 

 

Business done -- here's a peek at one of yesterday's card's -- a CASE from Cardmaker Magazine and designer Kathy Wegner.

 

 

 

Those are inchies!  I loved making this card and it's a great way to use up lots of scraps and bits and pieces.  This is definitely on my "make again" short list!  Supplies:  Nesabilities, Square die; paper, DCWV, SU, PC, MM; Mini brads, Oriental Trading; Adhesives, Xyron 1 1/2" sticker, Martha Stewart gel adhesive, SU tape runner; Flower punch, Marvy and circle punch, SU. 

 

 

I also got a couple of layouts done as well.  One in paper and another in digi form. 

 

The digi form is all about Ted.  He's genuinely surprised that I got it done and in pretty short order!  LOL  not a lot of fancy details.  The brads were in a kit -- but I can't find the designer's name --other than that, it's all mine!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's CREATIVITY day!

Despite it already being a tad on the warm side already this morning, it IS going to be a GREAT day!  I finished up two things yesterday -- but one of them needs a bit of reworking...so we'll look at doing that today while the gals are here to "play and create." 

Today's nurturing moment is:
My life is an indivisible whole, and all my attitudes run into one another; and they all have their rise in my insatiable love for mankind.   -- Mahatma Gandhi

 

 I've sort of forgotten where all the digi elements came from, but I think they were Melissa's at Simply Sentimental.  If they're not and you recognize them -- please let me know and proper credit will be given. 

Below is a paper 2pg LO of one of our grandsons.  He's such a cutie and was having such fun in the expandable tunnel his parents got for Kelty as part of her rehab therapy after her surgery.  Papers and marker from SU; Gel pen, Sakura; Cuttlebug, Typewriter Machine Alpha, ProvoCraft; Kodak Glossy Photo paper; Font, Goudy; PSE6.

Happy

and it's not just because it's Friday!  ;o)  I'm thinking - why not be happy?  Enjoy and relish the happenings of the day, look for moments of learning and revel in what you now know and have the opportunity to experience.  Oh, and don't forget those RAGs  (Random Acts of GREATNESS)!!!!  You are AWESOME!

Today's nurturing moment:

Treat people as if thy were what they ought to be, and you will help them to become what they are capable of being.  ---Johann Wolfang von Goethe

 

Another page from my mini book:

Quick page from Lauren at digitalscrapbookplace.com; background paper - DEB background tints; font, Orlando.  The picture, you've seen before -- it was taken on our flight home from Vegas earlier this month. 

Amazing!

how just a little bit of sunshine sure starts my day off with a WOW!  Those rays are golden, bright and beaming brightly this morning.  Almost needs some "shades" with all those beautiful rays shining through the glass.

Today's nurturing moment is:
Support is the boost you can give someone who can help himself but who needs a partner to open a window or push aside a roadblock.” -- Dave Thomas

Another page in my new mini-book --

This uses a quick page created by Lauren over at digitalscrapbookplace and the Vintage Coffeehouse kit also found over at http://digitalscrapbookplace.com  The journaling reads:  Spending time with your family doesn't matter how long or where, but that you do it.   I finished up another page yesterday and I have hopes to slip some digi scrapping time in this afternoon along with finishing up a card I started a couple of days ago that just isn't coming together the way I'd hoped -- and yes, it's one of those involved ones with lots of folds, cuts and embellishing!  GEESH!  I gotta stop doing that to myself! 

Happy Crafting, creating and BEING!

 

Blurfing Find

During my blurfing yesterday, I happened upon a cool idea for creating a digital album at BigPictureScrapbooking dot com.  Based on 140 words or less per journaling (using your blog, facebook or twitter accounts).  SWEET!  Only the class had already started and registration closed, but I thought, well, maybe, I could create my own and get some things accomplished  and practice using a couple of digi programs I have .  I've got all the ingredients and this is one of the  first digi pages.  I have a second page done as well, and will share it later. Today's page is made using Amy Teets' Sunporch kit (I think I got it at ShabbyPrincess dot com)  The font is from CK.  I used Paint Shop Pro for this page, but I think the rest will be made using PhotoShop Elements 6 -- I'm thinking that I may just get the hang of doing this.  I may still do a little tweaking on this page -- taking the bows off and adding some  buttons instead. 

Today's nurturing moment:
Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us daily.  --- Sally Koch

Stay tuned - GREATNESS is happening on June 2nd! 

 

 

 

Tuesday Twitters

the birds are singing quite cheerfully this morning.  Their songs are beautiful.  We saw the cardinals last evening while we were out on the patio visiting with our guests.  They have a nest back in the hollys -- the mourning doves also made an appearance along with a Grackle or two.  Ted had been doing a little "flood" irrigating last evening and the puddled water was attracting quite a few birds.

The garden is still growing and Ted got really brave and added a few red seed potatoes yesterday in hopes of maybe getting some fresh potatoes later this fall.  The garden is still green and NO WEEDS yet.  I'm truly grateful for that since we're having trouble just keeping up with the other beds and the oak seedlings that are cropping up all over! 

We got a smattering of rain a bit earlier this morning -- and there's more expected throughout the day.  The air sure smelled fresh and clean a bit earlier when I went out to check on the skimmer basket and empty it...wish there was a way to keep the "cotton" from the cottonwood trees out of there. 

Today's nurturing moment:

Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn, whatever state I'm in, therein to be content.  ---Helen Keller

 

and one pic to share:

 

they're still blooming and looking pretty good this year! 

Memorial Day

 Whether we want to acknowledge it or not, our FREEDOM is precious!  Our family has been blessed throughout the years -- and Memorial Day has a special meaning for us as we truly honor those who are serving or have served in the military.  4 generations (and maybe more) on Ted's side of the family have or are still serving.  Ted retired last year from the USAFReserves.  I think that was rather difficult for him -- he had 20 years in and I think was hoping to get more after his last unit tried, albeit unsuccessfully to have him re-up.  Ted has served overseas and stateside Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom.  His father as well during the Korean Conflict, and elsewhere.  His grandfather served in WWII.  Our son-in-law is active duty Army.  He just returned from Iraq this past December.    WE, as a family, are truly honored by their service and the sacrifice they made as well as the families have made over the years. 

Thanks to all -- young and old, for the service and sacrifice you make in protecting our freedoms.  We may not always agree on the reasons why, but your committment and honor in service is worthy of our gratitude.  THANK YOU ALL!

Today's nurturing moment:

Climb up on some hill at sunrise.  Everybody needs perspective and once in a while, and you'll find it there.  ---Robb Sagendorph

Sunday Smiles

You can still see the dampness on the concrete from last night's rains.  Strangely, these storms are moving in from the south, southeast.  They are soakers!  More expected later today.  In the meantime, I'll enjoy the moments of sunshine we're experiencing at the moment. 

Yesterday's migraine has lightened up a bit -- I'm hoping that today's remnants won't flare as the next wave of storms move in this afternoon.  We'll keep all fingers and toes crossed just in case.  ;)  I did get some extra sleep which seemed to help a little -- especially that 3 hour nap at 6:30 last  night...only thing, going back to sleep for the night was sort of elusive and so lights out wasn't until after midnight and sleep was still a bit fitful.  Oh well!  Today is another day and it's a beautiful one to boot.

I did manage to get a few elements made for some future cards and finished up a couple of quick cards -- using scraps!  I really want to make a dent in those (scraps), so I've decided that I'm going to do at least one scrappy card/scrapbook layout a day before cutting any full sheets of paper.    Now to organize them again.... we have two large boxes full and they do need to be sorted into colors again.  

Well, time to get moving, on this end.  Hope you have a GREAT day!  

Today's nurturing moment is:
Choose the life that is most useful and habit will make it most agreeable.  Sis Francis Bacon

 All but the Ribbon are SU products.  This card is a 4x4 - The ribbon is from HL.

I add some additional dimension by popping up the flower and popping up the label over the ribbon.  It's a sweet little card. 

Happy Saturday!  The morning sun is brightening and it's cool to watch the tones and colors change as the area in my vision glows with the golden rays from the sun this morning.  It is so beautiful!  I love this time of the morning and the quiet that often comes with it on Saturday mornings. 

The internet radio station is playing and adds to the feelings. 

Another busy day according to the day's calendar...gladly, it's still got a bit of flexibility to it.  Ted has an appointment at 10 this am to introduce a young man who is going before the Eagle Board today...then heading further northward after a change in clothes for an hour or so then home again.  Maybe, just maybe, he'll be able to relax later this afternoon.

The gals are coming for a bit of cardmaking this morning.  At least a few of them.  I don't think the room will be full -- but they should get lots accomplished.  I have some new ideas I snagged from a couple of blogs and hurried and made samples of last night.  They're ready for display which is next on my list to do.  Then into the kitchen to get my dish started for the potluck and maybe even get a cake baked and decorated to celebrate a birthday.  Breakfast will be grab what you can this morning.  Toast and a smoothie for me.

 This is another take on the one I made the day before.  The stamps and ink and paper are all SU.  I used Gesso on the back of the cuts for a little more strength since I used a craft knife to cut them out and used foam tape to add dimension.  I also used the cuttlebug to emboss the layer under the stamped focal.  I'm not sure why I decided to use a mostly monochrome scheme, but oh well. 

No pics of the other new samples...but you can see them at http://chicnscratch.typepad.com -- check out her punched animals!  They're so cute!  They were fun to do -- though I discovered that my one inch punch still needs to be replaced.  But I was able to use my mm circle cutter and do those 1 inch circles pretty quickly.  I love the starburst technique too.  That's on the demo list first thing this morning. 

Missionary update:  Ted got to have a long conversation with him yesterday...yea, I know it's not a regular communication day.  But if you recall, we didn't get to talk to him on Mother's Day.  So last evening was our phone call.  Ted was able to get through and had a wonderful visit with him.  I know, you're probably wondering about why I didn't talk -- well, the two of them needed that time more.  I can hold off for a little longer and I'm looking forward to having lots of time come November!  I also heard from another MM that there was another earthquake yesterday in Mexico.  No damage in his area.

Well, time to launch!  Have a fabulous day!

Today's nurturing moment:
Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your ultimate accomplishments.  Napoleon Hill

Sweetness

  What a wonderful evening we had last night.  We were able to enjoy a night at the temple with some sweet friends who were going for the first time beyond the doors of the baptistry.  Ted and I were their escorts and it was really a very special evening -- and date night.  We will be able to go with them again on Saturday for their sealing as a family.  How blessed we are to have a temple so close in proximity. 

Today is the beginning of a LONG holiday weekend, Memorial Day here in the states.  A day honoring all those who have gone before us -- especially those whose lives have been taken while preserving our freedoms.  Flags are flying along the main thoroughfares of the city, sunrise ceremonies are planned for Monday morning and so much more around the state and nation.  For many, it's the weekend welcoming Summer as well.   We haven't made any specific plans -- though I'm sure we'll fire up the grill and maybe dip our toes in the pool and tend to the yard -- maybe even invite a few friends over to join us for Family Home Evening.  We'll see how the weekend plays out. 

Tomorrow is another card-making Saturday.  Yep!  Although I have to skip out for a little while, the room will be open and I'm looking forward to a bit of down time, relaxing with some ink and paper.  I managed to slip in a few minutes yesterday and created this card.  That stamps, ink and markers are SU.  Paper, SU and My Mind's Eye (Slab).

    

I know the sentiment appears to be out of line, but it's really not; the front of the card was sort of open, and it's really level!  I know, I measured! 

Thanks for dropping by!

Today's nurturing moment:
Lives of great men all remind us

We can make our lives sublime,

And, departing, leave behind us

Footprints in the sands of time.  -- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow