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Its like coming home not knowing what to expect. I was expecting all kinds of stuff – the most probable I thought would be coming home to an empty “house.” Six months after writing my last post, I wrote a new one expecting NO ONE to post back… expecting everyone to be so used to me being gone that they have “left” the site, erased their bookmarks, unsubscribed and “flown” elsewhere where digital designers are more active and more “available.”
I found myself awestruck by the posts my recent entry has received as well as the private emails sent my way for the last six months – just to say hi, to share an anecdote, a joke or a story… or merely to check if everything is alright. I never did answer anyone back because there was nothing new to share – I was sucked down a pit hole of unending work and was amazed at the “doors” opened just for me…
And so much to say I don’t know where to start
* WEIGHT. I gained 20 pounds and family says I no longer look anorexic – they thought I was! I’m now size 4 from 2!
* EXHIBIT. I am almost done with the flower fairies calendar but not quite – the printing and gallery exhibition postponed until I can find the time.
* WORK. My ads got published locally and everything is going just great. I have received plenty of work requests that I just had to beg off from some. I got signed up by two companies in Asia and will soon travel extensively again.
* NEW STUFF My friends and I are set to open a flower arranging vocational school soon where I will serve as a school administrator finally putting into good use my degree in graduate school. Surrounded by flowers on a daily basis? Wow!
* DEATH & SICKNESS. Our 4 year old labrador retriever “Dill” died suddenly and I saw my husband cry like a baby for the FIRST time in 24 YEARS – He is still “in mourning.” My 10 year old shih tzu named Coco (my first dog ever!) got sick with gall bladder stones and I was so worried about losing him (too) I cried myself to sleep for weeks. He’s better now.
* MAC. Got me a Mac as a graphic station. My first computer was a Mac. Switched to PC when I left the office that introduced me to it. Now I’m working on one again for my graphic requirements, with my trusty PC for other jobs. I have the best of both worlds!
* HANDMADE GIFTS. I made Christmas presents by hand because my family and closest friends deserve something better than what I can buy from the store quick after being “abused” by me for a year. I am almost, always never available, I don’t call, I forget birthdays and special days. I turned a year older recently and my closest friends all gave me something hand-made in return. That made me cry because they, like me, are as pressed and tired most of the time too and yet they made and gifted me something they worked on FOR DAYS! Now who said you can always “buy” everything you want?
I survived the last six months with plenty of prayers, support of family and friends, faith and the belief that whatever comes to pass will always be for the best. It is. God is good.
Allow me to share something I read that cheered me up amidst the “economic woes and blues” I’m subjected to on a daily basis:
“The most important economy is the one that is operating inside your head. Look at the economy inside your head carefully. There are two states it can be in: either your head is fully focused upon thoughts of how you will build your business and make a tremendous success during 2009, or it is not. If it is not, then fix it right now. Stop your self-sabotage”… – JRPick, The Sky Has Not Fallen, Philippine Daily Inquirer Page A13, March 6, 2009
Thank you for continuously surprising me with your patience, understanding, support and above all, FRIENDSHIP – all of which I don’t believe I deserve. Thank you for the “homecoming” and finding OUR “house” as warm and as loving as I remember it. Giving you this kit is thanking you the best way I know how ( I had to whip up something from available raw files – I don’t have the time to finish my new line yet but I’ve started on it). Thank you very much for remaining TRUE all these months that I have been “away.”
I’m deeply humbled.
Unfaithfully yours,
Mabelle
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March 6, 2009 11:43 am
WOW…..I am touched that you thought of us. I am just thrilled to read of your happenings and to know that you are ok. I did miss our stories here but I kept coming back like once a week to check even though I have the email feed but you know what, that’s ok. Life happens and your “digi” family will be here and forgive you no matter what!
Thank you for the wonderful gift and the Princess and I are rocking along in a new store and having the time of our lives.
Again, thank you and we love and adore you.
Tammy & Shelby
The Queen and the Princess Designs
March 6, 2009 1:20 pm
Thank you so much for bringing us up to date on your life. It sounds wonderful, crazy, exhausting and thrilling…just the way you like it, right!! Thank you also for the beautiful frame. We’ve missed you and we’re glad to know that everything is okay, and that you’re just busy. Now go take a bubble bath and relax, okay?
March 6, 2009 1:24 pm
TYVM for your gift to me……or everyone it feels like me!!
March 6, 2009 1:48 pm
Thank you so much for thinking of us! Wow, didn’t expect that at all. Thank you too for sharing a slice of your life.
March 6, 2009 2:08 pm
Welcome back – it’s nice to see you around again
March 6, 2009 2:09 pm
So nice to know your okay Mabelle, just reading your post is enough. I knew you were so busy..welcome back! I missed you.
March 6, 2009 2:56 pm
hey there! you’re really such a sweetie ms. mabelle!
always take care and God bless!
March 6, 2009 3:26 pm
Thank you for the gift.
Many of us are busy and I knew you were extra busy the last few times you posted. I would never want to miss whatever you create next whenever it might be. Thank you for sharing a bit of your time to update and share what’s going on with you.
March 6, 2009 3:40 pm
Mabelle, thank you so much. You don’t have to reward us for being your friend…we just are.
Sharon
March 6, 2009 4:47 pm
Thank you so much for updating us and sharing the last 6 months of your life. So glad to hear things are going well. You have truly been blessed. I’ve missed hearing from you but certainly understand that sometimes life gets in the way.
Thanks again for sharing your beautiful work.
March 6, 2009 8:13 pm
Hi Mabelle,
I am so happy to hear that your business is going well. I love your comment on the economy. I am going to share it with my husband. It is so true. Have a wonderful, beautiful day. It is always a treat to hear from you.
Shelly
March 6, 2009 8:17 pm
I am so sorry about Dill, our pets are family to us…I know.
i do not know how you find the time to do the personal things you do for family and friends…the middle of the night I’m sure! You sound happy, healthy and tired! it is great to hear the latest scoop on your busy life!
Tonya
March 6, 2009 8:38 pm
It’s so nice to hear from you again and to read that things are going well. I always enjoy your writing and love how you are so open with us. I’m so sorry about the loss of your beloved pet. Thank you for taking time out of your busy life to think of us so generously.
March 6, 2009 8:43 pm
Welcome back!
March 6, 2009 9:07 pm
Thank you so much for the pretty and special frame!
My goodness! You have been busy! I’m so happy that your busy-ness is wrapped up in doing something you love! But do ‘take care of you’ and stop to smell the roses once in a while.
I’m so sorry to hear about Dill. We lost our 13 year old Dalmatian, Maggie, 3 1/2 years ago and we still cry if we talk about her or look at her pictures for very long.
Lots of Love,
Janet
March 6, 2009 9:30 pm
Hi Mabelle,
I am so glad to see that you are back! Thanks for the update on what’s been going on in your life, I really got worried when you didn’t reply to emails. Thanks for sharing this lovely frame.
Big Texas Hug,
Vicki
March 6, 2009 9:32 pm
Thanks for the giftie! Happy you are busy and life is interesting. So sorry about your doggie. My DH was a mess when we had to euthanize one of our kitties two years ago. I think men just don’t synthesize their feelings the way we do so it hits them differently. He insisted that I find a picture of her that he could frame and put on the nightstand because she always used to sleep next to him there and he couldn’t stand going to sleep without her.
March 6, 2009 9:56 pm
So sweet of you! We all get busy in our life and sometimes lose track of things that are dearest to us. The important thing is that we come back and it’s better than ever. Good luck in your busy life, sounds like things are going great. Keep your feet planted. Thanks for the goodies!
March 6, 2009 10:20 pm
You are one amazing lady – would you ever have thought you would be the wonderful, strong and competent business woman you are today? Blessings on you MaBelle. I take joy in remembering the humble beginnings and smile.
March 6, 2009 10:31 pm
Hi Mabelle,
I’m happy to hear that things are going so well for you! I thought of you on your birthday, well the 28th of Feb and the 1st of March and wondered seeing your birthday is the 29th do you celebrate it on the 28th or the 1st or both, lol. It was great hearing from you!
Take care,
(((hugs)))
March 6, 2009 10:34 pm
I just realized you had a gift for us; thank you very much!
March 7, 2009 12:04 am
I am so excited for all your new adventures and prospects. What a fascinating time for you. I am looking forward to hearing all about it as you have time.
Though I am sorry for the loss of your dog. It is hard when you lose a cherished companion.
Thank you for the wonderful gift.
March 7, 2009 12:26 am
Nice hearing from you again! Thank you for the lovely frame.
March 7, 2009 1:01 am
Beautiful Frame! Thank you, truly.
March 7, 2009 1:41 am
I just don’t know that I could put it better than Tammy and Shelby! Ditto is all I can think of to add.
Janine
March 7, 2009 3:35 am
Can’t really add anything to all these wonderful comments except my own heartfelt “Thank you!”
March 7, 2009 4:44 am
So glad that everything is going so well for you and yes we did miss you and we have all had a lot of “busyness” in our lives. Sorry to hear about Dill, hope your hubby is getting better. Thank you for the wonderful gift but you didn’t have to we’re your friends and even if most of us aren’t visible all the time we’re still here.
March 7, 2009 7:11 am
Ups and downs- we all have them. Glad to see you are enjoying the ups! Thanks for the great gift!
March 7, 2009 7:56 am
Thank You so much for the pretty frame, and welcome back! Congratulations on the MAC – when it comes to graphics, the Mac is my preference too. I’m really sorry to hear fo the loss of Your dear “FurKid”. I’m happy that things are looking up for You. May 2009 be the BEST Year for us all!!!
March 7, 2009 9:00 am
aww, our 2 dogs died too. i know fully well the anguish that comes with it =( at least we have 5 more dogs to keep us company..
thanks for this post mabelle! at least we now know everything’s just dandy in your life =) its a wonder there’s no report of sickness despite being very busy with your work ;-p thanks for the freebie! lovely as always..
March 7, 2009 11:11 am
Thanks so much for us in about how the last 6 months have been. Thanks also for the freebie.
March 7, 2009 12:44 pm
Thanks for sharing that beautiful frame! Good golly you’ve been busy to say the least!!
March 7, 2009 9:15 pm
OMG MABELLEEEEE!!!!!!!!
Ive missed you really much!! Ive been popping in from time to time hoping u’d write something despite not recieving any email alerts. You’ve been away for so long. Sure enough many things had happened.
Congratz on your achievements! Im sure you put your whole heart in it.
Im so sorry to hear about your beloved compagions. I would be heartbroken too if I were you. I like dogs alot but sadly i dont have one. Even if they are gone from the world Im sure they will forever be with you in your heart.
Stay healthy and trueful, and thank you for the gift despite being so busy.
Hugs and love ^^
Carol
March 9, 2009 1:07 pm
Thank you again and enjoy your life.
March 13, 2009 9:20 pm
So glad to hear things are going well for you. The same can not be said of me. Still haven’t made my blog public because of health issues. Not sure when it will be but do want people to see your great work.
Take care and the best of luck.
March 13, 2009 9:29 pm
Dear Mabelle,
It is wonderful to hear that your life is so rich. I pray for more of the same for you! Thanks so much for keeping in touch.
Best,
Lori
March 13, 2009 11:57 pm
Dear Mabelle,
Thanks for coming back and bringing your wonderful words and talent to share with us. I just downloaded the gift and feel like it’s Christmas as I have to unzip it to see what I received. I know it is wonderful as all your work is. I pray now that you have a resting period to enjoy and experience your creative talents just for fun.
I’m sorry to hear about your dog, I just lost my lab as well. They are truly one of the family.
March 14, 2009 12:21 am
Well, sweetie, OF COURSE we couldn’t possibly forget you! Despite everything going on in all our lives, we need each other… to support, to dream with, to wait (semi)patiently until we all are able or willing to share what is happening with us. You are no exception; you, in fact, are the glue that holds us together as a group. The Lord is there, no doubt about that, but you are one of my main “encouragers” to keep believing and hoping, when things look blackest.
I, too, am sorry to hear about the one little “family member” and thankful you did not lose both of them. I lost my father while you were gone. I am still not over that one. But you will never be able to just “disappear” without your friends patiently waiting, or some actively going to find you!
Love you bunches!