Make Up Your Mind

That's what I try and tell myself anyway.

A while ago I had posted that I was going to keep a digital scrapbooking blog separate from here. I started one and posted some pages there, but after a while, I just cringed at the thought of keeping up two blogs. Mainly, though, is that this blog is me. It's who I am so why should my pages not be a part of that same blog?

So I've changed my mind, yet again, and will not be keeping up Freckled Whimsy (even though I think the name is adorable..lol). Maybe someday there will be a use for it, but for now, I'm retiring it. My pages, should I choose to post them, will be here among all my other blabberings.

If you are interested in seeing what I've completed, please scroll down and look to the left. You will see a slide show of all my pages. If you clink on...um...click on "view all images" you can see them all with out waiting for it to scroll.

Thanks to all of you who put up with my scatterbrainedness <--- yes that's a word. Webster just forgot to add it to his dictionary :) Anywho...Here are a couple layouts I've done recently. There would be more if I hadn't been having so many computer issues as of late. We won't talk about that though.... Purr-fect

Two Sides of the Same Heart

Today I had the pleasure of listening to my children read me poems by Shel Silverstein. They would each choose one of their favourites and then in their turn, read it to me. I must have heard 50 poems by the time we were finished. It still makes me smile.

I read Shel Silverstein as a child and I remembered a lot of them but the one that always made me laugh was called Sick.

"I cannot go to school today,"
Said little Peggy Ann McKay.
"I have the measles and the mumps,
A gash, a rash and purple bumps.
My mouth is wet, my throat is dry,
I'm going blind in my right eye.
My tonsils are as big as rocks,
I've counted sixteen chicken pox
And there's one more--that's seventeen,
And don't you think my face looks green?
My leg is cut--my eyes are blue--
It might be instamatic flu.
I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke,
I'm sure that my left leg is broke--
My hip hurts when I move my chin,
My belly button's caving in,
My back is wrenched, my ankle's sprained,
My 'pendix pains each time it rains.
My nose is cold, my toes are numb.
I have a sliver in my thumb.
My neck is stiff, my voice is weak,
I hardly whisper when I speak.
My tongue is filling up my mouth,
I think my hair is falling out.
My elbow's bent, my spine ain't straight,
My temperature is one-o-eight.
My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear,
There is a hole inside my ear.
I have a hangnail, and my heart is--what?
What's that? What's that you say?
You say today is. . .Saturday?
G'bye, I'm going out to play!"

Although most of his work makes you smile and chuckle, he can also make you cry. Well, he can make me cry anyway. I know there is some controversy about this story, but just like anything else, its open to our own interpretation and I can relate to this story.

It doesn't make me cry because it makes me sad, not really. It's just that this "tree" loves this boy so much that she would do anything, give him anything, just to see him happy. His happiness was what made her happy, even though she knew that after she gave him what she could, he would still go away. She would still be alone but she was always happy to see him and he always came back. Just when she thought she didn't have anymore to give, he reminded her that she did...

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

All Of Me

Lately I've been drawn to black and white videos. Not sure why. It's the same with photos. I think it's because there is less distraction. You see what's important. What's meant to be seen.

This song is one I listen to often and I had forgotten that the video was done in B&W.



Have any favourites of your own? I'd love to see them.

Always Midnight

This just goes to show you that you don't need to have a flashy video to be amazing.

Simple. Brilliant. Beautiful. Perfect.


Pat Monahan - Always Midnight

Always Remember

I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories. We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love. -Leo Buscaglia

It was difficult not to be sad today. Thinking back to eight years ago when nearly 3000 people lost their lives and the family and friends that were left behind. It's heartbreaking. They all thought they would have a tomorrow to look forward to. It just goes to show you that we can't count on tomorrow. Today is all we really have. We shouldn't take today for granted. We shouldn't take any day for granted.

Tell the ones that you love, that you do, every day. It's important.

In remembrance of September 11, 2001.





















Where we fall, we will rise. Always remember.

The Impossible Is Possible

I was on Facebook and a friend shared a video that just had me in giggle fits. (Thanks Randy!)

Said video:


My daughter heard me giggling and came over to see what the fuss was about so I played it again so she could see it. Listening to her giggle made me laugh even harder. I love moments like that!

When it was done playing, she asked me to do a search. Usually when she tells me to do this, its some really strange, yet funny, video where we both end up laughing so hard we nearly pee our pants. (good thing for plastic couch protectors...lol! *just kidding*)

When she told me what to type I thought she was kidding or that she wanted me to see someone just doing a funny skit. She had asked me to type in "man with no arms and no legs". I wasn't prepared for what I saw. I wasn't prepared for the emotional roller coaster it took me through. He made me laugh, then he made me cry, but not because I felt sorry for him, but because he made such an impact, because he is right. You have to watch it to understand it, to appreciate it.

Nick Vujicic


I've seen a lot of motivational speakers, each with their own special way of getting their message across, whether it be from personal experience or they are just good at what they do. Either way, their intent is to get their point across and put you into action. To motivate. In most cases they do, but in how many cases do you really remember what they said six months later? A year later? Do you remember what their point was? Most importantly, did you practice what they preached? Did anyone have that deep of an impact on you? I can't say that anyone I've seen has. (I take that back. Sam Glenn did. His specialty was making you laugh. I always remember that....)

Anyway, when I saw this video I was in awe. Not because he had no arms and legs, but because of his attitude, his courage, his message. Everything he has become or accomplished was because he made the choice to do it. He never gave up. He never let anyone tell him he couldn't do something. He's not afraid. He wasn't even bitter. Not now. Sure, he was, but he changed his own life around, even when all the odds were stacked against him. If Nick can do anything, imagine what the rest of us could do if we shared the same attitude as he.

He is one that I will never forget.

Want to see more? Here is his website -> http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/index.php

Zero to 200

Every Friday I receive a humor of the day email at the office. Most times they are cute and generate a smile but are nothing to speak of. The email I received today made me laugh out loud, leaving my neighbours wondering what was so funny.

Some gifts should never be given! Anyone seen Bob? ... hee hee!

--------------------------------------------

Zero to 200 in Six Seconds

Bob was in trouble. He forgot his wedding anniversary. His wife was really mad!

She told him, "Tomorrow morning, I expect to find a gift in the driveway that goes from zero to 200 in six seconds. AND IT BETTER BE THERE!"

The next morning, he got up early and left for work. When his wife woke up, she looked out the window and sure enough, there was a box gift-wrapped in the middle of the driveway.

Confused, the wife put on her robe and ran out to the driveway. She brought the box back in to the house.

She opened it and found a brand new bathroom scale.

Bob has been missing since Friday.

Chances

There are certain artists that always capture my attention because of the uniqueness of their voice and Five For Fighting has always been one of them. It's that raspy, sexy sound that you'd recognize anywhere.

I had the radio on one day coming home from the office and a song came on that I hadn't heard before but I knew it was FFF. I hadn't realized they released a new single and boy is it a goodie. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this song called Chances. I love it because life is full of chances. You take some. Some you let alone. Amazing things happen when you take a chance on someone or something. Things you never expected. This song reminds me of that. To not be afraid to take a chance....

Their new album "Slice" will release on October 13th and supposedly an official video will be releasing for Chances as well, but until then, this is their montage they put together.

Chances are when said and done
Who'll be the lucky ones
Who make it all the way?
Though you say I could be your answer
Nothing lasts forever
No matter how it feels today

Chances are we´ll find a new equation
Chances roll away from me
Chances are all they hope to be

Don't get me wrong I'd never say never
Cause though love can change the weather
No act of God can pull me away from you

I´m just a realistic man
A bottle filled with shells and sand
Afraid to love beyond what I can lose when it comes to you
And though I see us through yeah

Chances are we´ll find two destinations
Chances roll away from me
Still chances are more than expectations
The possibilities
Over me
It´s about the two to one
Lay your money on the sun
Until you crash what have you done?
Is there a better bet than love?
What you are is what you breathe
You gotta cry before you sing

Chances chances

Chances lost are hopes torn up pages
Maybe this time
Chances are we´ll be the combination
Chances come and carry me
Chances are waiting to be taken
And I can see
Chances are the fascination
Chances won't escape from me
Chances are only what we make them
And all I need