Holding onto memories,
dreaming of the past.
Wishing for a star to love,
but knowing it won’t last.
I close my eyes,
and I think of you,
pretending you’re still here.
Thinking of the times before,
we’d hold each other near.
I knew our dreams were different,
our roads were not the same.
Together we’re two different lives,
caught in this shameless game.
You never knew what love was,
you never had the chance.
You never told me how you felt,
all you gave was just one glance.
And then I knew it ended,
I had to say good-bye,
But, I’ll always ask the question,
that burns inside…
….Why?

Copyright © 1991 Imagination Station
Copyright © 2000 Scribbles ‘N Scraps

My Mother, My Friend

I have never known a love before,
like I have found in you,
You’re with me every single day,
with everything I say and do.
I wake up in the morning,
and think of you again,
I’ve come to realize in life,
you’re more like my best friend.
You’ve taught me how to laugh and cry,
and how to simply smile.
You’ve given me a hope in life,
Standing beside me all the while.
You’ve put me first one hundred times,
I’m sure it’s even more.
You’ve prayed and dreamed a thousand times,
I would get all I’ve ever wished for.
For this and many other times,
I’ll thank you until the end,
Because you are not just my mom,
You are REALLY my best friend!

Copyright © 2004 Imagination Station
Copyright © 2004 Scribbles ‘N Scraps

It’s so difficult to maintain business relationships in this day and age. With the Internet as a huge source of communication between clients and their freelancers, the face to face contact is gone, as is the business suits and skirts.

In fact, chances are, right now you are sitting there staring at these words, and if I ask you to look down you’d never describe to me what you see. Why? Because many telecommuniting and freelance workers are sitting in their pajama’s this very moment.

With the lack of work contact, how do you keep your relationship with your clients in tact? Try these tips.

Stay Professional!

I know how hard it is, I find myself subconsciously doing it all the time. You know - those cute little emoticons and smiley faces that you find yourself doing. How about LOL? I use that so much it isn’t even remotely funny. When corresponding with a client, avoid both of these, as well as conversational English such as:

“Hi ya, it’s me. Yeah, I can do that article for you. When do ya need it? OHHHHHHH btw: I need payment ASAP and you can just send it to my paypal. thx so much!!!!! “.

Even if all of that is true, writing it like that makes you look like an inexperienced teenage writer. Not good when trying to maintain professionalism.

Another point I find in the whole “professional” department is that it is quite difficult not to get friendly at some point. And then, when an article, or piece of work is rejected, feelings are sure to get hurt. You need to remember that this is a business transactions. Not everything is going to work, and just because they rejected it, does not mean they were rejecting you. It is really very smart to just avoid getting to friendly with your “boss” or “client”. Here’s a piece of advice: Do not get personal in a business relationship until your invoice is paid first.

Details, Details, Details.

Be sure and read everything that comes from your client regarding your current assignment. Read it, re-read it. Make notes on the keypoints, etc. Details are extremely important. These are what your client is looking for and can be the difference between an on-going relationship and a one time assignment.

Ask Questions

Be sure and contact your client the moment you have a question regarding an assignment you are working for. There is nothing worse than turning in an assignment or waiting until the last minute only to find out that you have done the entire thing incorrectly. Clients do not usually enjoy working as an editor when that really isn’t what they are there for. Just be sure and ask question on anything you might be confused about.

Proofread Ten Times

Realizing of course, that this seems extreme, I am really not kidding. In fact, I would recommend reading it silently to yourself several times, and then call someone and read it to them. I have found nearly everytime I have done that I have come across a gramatical error or glaring spelling error that needed to be fixed that I overlooked. I am an excellent editor, but even I miss the spelling errors, the missing words and even duplicated words from time to time. The last thing you want to do is turn in an assignment with words spelled incorrectly and grammatical errors that degrade the quality of your work. There really is no excuse with all the word processing programs available.

Cross Bridges Cautiously

The old saying “Don’t Burn Bridges” couldn’t hold more true in a client/writer relationship. You never know when you might wind up writing for or with that client again, even if you adamently said you wouldn’t. In the small world of writing, many editors and clients change companies quickly and you never know when that award winning job you just landed will actually be working for the same client who you bad mouthed on a message board online! Don’t think they will forget either. Just walk cautiously across each bridge you come true, even when it isn’t a good situation. Professionalism is still key even on the Internet.

I hope these tips help out!

March 19, 1993

“Don’t Walk Out”

Staring at the bottles on the shelf,
I have to think of one more reason to go on.
The lights are turned down low, the music’s up too high,
And the only thing I see is you and her.

I see you running back to a life of pain,
to something that only you could see.
I’ve tried so hard to turn your head,
but I got one night, and now I see you’re gone.

Chorus:
Open your eyes and see,
I’m still standing with you,
She walked out once, but I’m still here,
Don’t you walk out too.

Forever you’re gone, together with her,
I stand and take a breath.
You smile at her, your eyes shining bright,
And she turns and walks away.

Chorus:
Open your eyes and see,
I’m still standing by you,
She walked out once, now I’m still here,
Don’t you walk out too.

Jack’s lookin’ good, when I see you out on the floor,
holding her close to your heart.
This bottle of Vodka, I grip in my hand,
when I think of the love I lost long ago.

I remember a face filled with happiness and love,
But this Tequila will set me straight.
He looked into my eyes like you look into hers,
But at last he left me behind.

Chorus:
Open your eyes and see,
I’m standing here waiting for you.
He walked out, and I’m still here…
Don’t you walk out too.

I see you bend down and kiss her good-night,
and one tear slowly forms in my eye.
Your eyes met mine, but you didn’t blink,
And you headed straight for the door.

Chorus:
Please open your eyes and see,
I’m still standing with you.
Someday you’ll open your eyes and you’ll see,
I will never walk out on you.

Copyright © 1993 Imagination Station
Copyright © 2000 Scribbles ‘N Scraps

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

“Actions speak louder than words”
Is what they always say.
But I’ve found throughout the years,
It’s not just a cliché.
You held my hand when times were tough,
You kissed away the tears,
You hugged me close when I was scared
to help erase my fears.
You smiled at me when I was good,
frowned when I was bad,
You laughed each time I carried on,
And cried when I was sad.
It’s with the actions I have grown,
We’ve learned from one another.
What I’m thankful for most of all,
Is for you, my dearest mother.

Copyright © 2004 Imagination Station
Copyright © 2004 Scribbles ‘N Scraps

Loved By You

If I died today, I can honestly say,
I could go in peace.
If tomorrow never came, I can honestly say,
It would be the ultimate release.
If my yesterday’s were all I knew, I can honestly say,
All I’ve ever needed,
I found here in you.
I know deep in my heart,
In this life, I was loved by you.
If my world falls apart, I can honestly say,
Everything will be okay.
If I had to cross a thousand sea’s, I can honestly say,
I could do it with the greatest ease.
Because you are the treasure I’d longed to find.
You are with me day and night, always on my mind.
And I can honestly say, I know I’ll always get through,
Because in my life, I was loved by you.

Copyright © 2003 Imagination Station
Copyright © 2003 Scribbles ‘N Scraps

Death Is Not The Answer

January 6, 1989

***Verse:
When life is down, and nothin’ seems to matter,
Just grin and see that things will get better.
Life is a one way road, it won’t get too bad,
Even if you find yourself, sad, depressed or mad.

***Chorus:
(OH———-)
Death is not the answer, death is not the key,
It can’t open locked doors, Baby, can’t you see?
Death is not the answer, Don’t you see it’s wrong?
Just turn around and show us that you can be strong.

***Verse:
If your best friend leaves you,
Just walks out and says good-bye.
Don’t let it bother you, by asking yourself why.
If you haven’t got a girlfriend,
Because she found somebody new.
Don’t let her lies get you down,
She’s not good enough for you.

***Verse:
If school’s going badly, and you just found out you’re fired,
Don’t turn to alcohol or drugs, it won’t help to get you
wired.
Don’t let it get you down,
‘Cause people have bad days.
Your life is always changing, in many different ways.

***Chorus:
Death is not the answer, death is not the key,
It can’t unlock, locked doors, it can’t set you free.
Death is not the answer, Don’t you see it’s not.
Death will hurt your family and friends, and it’ll hurt me
a lot!
(OH———

***Bridge:
Death is not the answer (Oh No)
Death is not the key (It’s locked)
It won’t unlock, locked doors, (NO!)
Baby, can’t you see? (I knocked)

Death (oh no) please don’t go.
Death (won’t help) Please stay here with me.
Death (No) Death (No, it’s not a choice)
Please Stay with me….you’ll see.

Copyright © 2004 Imagination Station
Copyright © 2004 Scribbles ‘N Scr

“Lost and Found”

I was lost so long ago,
wandering lonely, searching.
I was grasping at every straw I could find.
To no avail.

I dreamed each night of you,
wondering where you were.
Awaking each morning feeling
even more lost than before.

Each time I reached out,
a tiny piece would fall,
I assembled my life puzzle,
still so very incomplete.

Holes everywhere,
empty corners of my life.
A lost soul, searching for
whatever will make her whole.

A glimmering piece fell into my hands
to almost complete the puzzle.
Shadows disappeared, fog was lifted
and suddenly, I was “found”.

Copyright © 1998 Imagination Station
Copyright © 2000 Scribbles ‘N Scraps

What are my MUST have’s for scrapbooking. I am asked this all the time. So here is my must have list! Complete with many PERSONAL favorites!

• Cardstock - this is the base of all pages! You must have cardstock. My favorite is Bazzil Basics! Great texture and fun to use!

• Patterned paper is an absolute no-brainer. However I am choosy. I don’t buy anything that is busy, or “gender” specific unless I have something in mind already. I also try to buy paper “packs” so I get the most for my $$ - an important key if you are a frugal scrapbooker! (love those Michael’s Slabs!)

• Scissors - I use the Fiskars Softouch® Micro-Tip® Scissors and I have THREE pairs! LOL That’s how much I love them!

• Paper trimmer - I use the Falcon Cutter - the reason I love this cutter is that A) It cuts 12 x 12 pieces of paper without any bunching at all. B) It uses REGULAR razor blades that my frugal self can purcase and wal-mart and occasionally see at the $ store! C) It was the first cutter I was introduced to, and I’ve tried all the rest and have been very disappointed. D) The handle lifts up so you can put your paper down and then line it up before ever closing the handle.

• I love my Hole Punches. The 1/16th is smaller than the standard hole punch you’d get at an office supply store. I use brads a lot to decorate my pages, and it’s much easier to insert a brad when you’ve punched a little hole first. And the other uses for the different sizes are limitless. (I’ll provide examples at a later time!)

• A Pen Set - for journaling - another probable “no brainer”. If you use your computer, fine, but I do suggest using your handwriting at some point. You have no idea what emotions the sight of someone specials handwriting can evoke!

  • A black or brown permanent ink pad/or walnet ink. You don’t have to be a rubber stamper to get a lot of use from an inkpad. I use it to edge my matted photos and journaling piece before placing them onto my patterned background paper, or I’ll tear a piece of paper and ink the edge, then place it down as a border. It gives me a nice, finished look and gives the effect of having matted the piece on black paper—without actually using black paper! To ink the edge, I simply hold my paper in one hand, my inkpad in the other and run the inkpad along the edge of the paper. Start with a light touch because you can always add more.