Melody's Sofa

I would love to know....

My sister took my kids out a few weeks ago...one of the places they went was to a used book store.....my family loves loves loves jokes...and my daughter found a huge old joke book...it was published in 1980...over the weekend, among many other wonderful things that I will write about later, we spent some time reading the jokes in the joke book so we could tell some to my dad for his birthday....

WELL.....it was very interesting....the jokes are 28 years old, right? Any of the jokes that had to do with current affairs were talking about the GAS SHORTAGE...the over-inflated GAS PRICES, the terrible value of the DOLLAR....the FOOD SHORTAGE....the terrible economy.........

hmmmmmm.....

If the pages weren't brown and deteriorating, I would have thought the joke book was written yesterday.

I read somewhere that when election years happen....especially when the party is changing...that this happens.........scares about the economy, food, gas, etc. I personally don't ever remember it being this bad....

What I would love to know is:
1.) how has your life changed as the gas prices have escalated?
2.) how are you preparing?
3.) what do you believe the future holds for the economy?

Personally, I think this is a WONDERFUL opportunity to evaluate what is important in life...to finally stop taking everything for granted...to stop wasting so much. We have made efforts to stop using extra energy and gas. We have been careful about what we spend. We have put aside food in case food prices really do get extra high for a while. We sold our gas guzzlers and got fuel-efficient cars that were old enough that we could pay cash for them. We have started to adopt the philosophies of our parents on both sides

USE IT UP
WEAR IT OUT
MAKE IT DUE
OR DO WITHOUT

AND....with all of the "bad news" that often hypes up the public in an election year...and the REALITIES of inflation, etc....we have never felt more at peace....because we are starting to do what we should have done all along....

And, I believe that things will even out, will get better...they sure did after 1980 when all of this happened...there was a period of intense prosperity, innovation and forward thinking.....and everyone lived through the recession....and the inflation....

....and I really believe that this reality check will do the same, even if it feels a little 'forced' :) Even if we all have to change the way we live....even if it's really tough for awhile. This country DOES have a tremendous amount of waste...many of us DO take things for granted...I think this is a wonderful opportunity to learn to be responsible with what we have....to be resourceful and innovative....to live within our means.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? I would love to know how what is happening in our country has affected or changed your thinking, your habits, your plans for the future?

Have a beautiful day....everything's gonna be ok!

can you see?

The new header...new blog style? At home it's all done and fixed and new....but now I'm at the office and can't see the new stuff? Can you see the new header, new colors...new fonts, etc????

FRUSTRATING!!!!

thanks!
mel

being the mom

This week held handfuls of beautiful moments.....even before mother's day....I loved mother's day this year....and my stomach wasn't in knots with guilt about how I wish I was better at this...maybe it's because I am getting older and not terrorizing myself with all of those horrid "C-words" comparing, categorizing, competing, criticizing and condemning myself all the time over my weaknesses......I have just sort of chilled out and decided to do my best every day......and....every once in awhile....things happen that make me feel on top of the world with a #1 MOM mug in my hand.

Max had a house in his mind for his 1st grade project...he talked about it for a week before we started...and we got everything ready. For just about a week, we would work on it a little bit each night....he would talk to me every morning before school about what we needed to do next. He is a kid who takes everything very very seriously.....he is diligent and calculated and he finishes anything that he starts. I have learned a lot from him.....well...we made the house, and it was such a fun time...but my heart really melted when we were done and he wrote his little report about it.....


This is my house project. Me and my mom made it. It took itleast a week to make. It was very fun to make. I made it out of cardbord and wood. I also made it with hot glue. I smashed rocks with a hmmer to hook to it.
You see, there was a long stretch of years when I had to have a nanny do stuff like this for me. I was too 'busy' to make trips to the store to buy supplies....to spend the hours going over all the pieces and cutting them out and painting them....I knew I was missing out, I really did...but I had no idea HOW I WAS REALLY MISSING OUT. Every day I feel like I am waking up just a little bit more...stepping into this incredible life that God put right in my lap....so thankful that I finally figured it out....I love being the mom....I love it....it's hard and it's demanding but man oh man....I love it.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

I hope everyone has a beautiful day.....check back late tonight for a brand new blog...........with a post about motherhood.....ok I gotta sneak back under the covers for my breakfast in bed.

Much Love!
melody

The Final Copy of A PAGE OUT OF LIFE

OH sheeesh,
I was supposed to do this yesterday!!!

SO......this will be super duper easy.

THE FIRST PERSON TO POST WILL WIN IT! :)

have a wonderful weekend!
melody

SO HARD TO CHOOSE!!!

Ok...I have to say...I procrastinated this decision all night because ALL of these quotes are wonderful! So many of them I already have written in my favorite quotes book...the others I am adding...

...after much deliberation...this quote has stuck with me.....probably because I could write a book with many personal experiences on how true this quote is...

"It'll all turn out right in the end. If it hasn't turned out alright, then you're not at the end yet."

Posted by: HappyGoMommy

HappyGoMommy....make sure you email me with your address....TO ALL WINNERS...I WILL BE SENDING YOUR PACKAGES OUT NEXT WEEK AFTER ALL NEW PRODUCT SHIPS....you will all be the first to get the fabulous new Chatterbox stuff......did you know we haven't had a new product release for almost 2 years!!??? THIS IS VERY EXCITING!!!

Ok....stay tuned....because I am giving the blog a makeover this weekend.....great new stuff!

Lots of Love
Melody

AN EASY ONE....

Hooray for Amy W! Make sure to email me your address!!!

Ok...tonights giveaway is easy........I'm gonna send you a little box of new Artsy.licious stuff......and.....after last night...sheesh, we gotta make it easy...plus, Marq is out playing basketball til late tonight so he can't help me.....

Here's how to win:
I AM GOING TO PICK MY FAVORITE QUOTE from EVERYONE WHO POSTS THEIR FAVORITE QUOTE...I will pick one tomorrow night after work.....so.....put em here....I can't wait to see what yours are!

Have a great night....
Melody

Another BOOK GIVE-AWAY!

Holy Moley! What a day!!! I have another signed copy of A PAGE OUT OF LIFE to give away to the tenth person who answers the following questions.......you see, Marq and I are sitting on the couch right now...he just made me a cup of tea before we go to bed.....and, I am going to make him think of the questions....here we go...

1.) What is Marq's favorite sport's activity? (that he is pretty much retired from....)
2.) What brand of tractor is green? What brand of tractor is red? What brand of tractor is blue?
3.) What part of the engine of a car mixes the gas and the air together? (I have no idea what the answer to this is...but I will find out...)
4.) What is a mortise and tenon? (a one sentence answer will do)
5.) Which one goes where on the question above (where does mortise go in relation to tenon?)

Gather the man in your life.....you might need him to answer...or call your dad.

GOOD LUCK!
More giveaways tomorrow!!!!

Lotsa Love
Melody

here's a little clue:

You have to check this out....

I love what Ali Edwards is doing on her blog this week....every day has been such an inspiring treat. Make sure you check out her blog every day this week as she is doing a series on photos + words

She is an incredible human being...and one of my favorite people I have ever known.

aliedwards.typepad.com

Stay tuned for the next giveaway!
Love,
melody

OH...and P.S.
JULIE JOHNSON! Congrats, you won last night...make sure you email me your address!!!

AND WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!

AND IT WAS OUR FIRST TRY!

Great work, Debra Barker! Make sure you email me your address so I can send you the goodies!!!!

OK....tomorrow I will be giving away another signed copy of A PAGE OUT OF LIFE....

but for today (TONIGHT!)....I am going to send the winner one of my favorite books....out of my personal collection.....AND a stash of Chatterbox goodies with some classic and some brand new........

AND TO WIN....all ya gotta do IS......BE THE 5th person to tell me who you think is gonna win American Idol and WHY....

AND

Tell me THREE THINGS that you do with your paper crafting supplies besides scrapbook with them......

SO....that's FOUR answers total.

GOOD LUCK! Sorry so late.......you are gonna die when you see how much product I've had to design in the last 2 months....I think I am now at over 200 products....with at least that many to go..........SO MUCH STUFF in the works!! I can't wait til it's all done!!!

Have a great night....good luck y'all...I will post photos of the prizes later!!!

Love to all
melody