Monna Lainson Designs

Sunday, December 28, 2008

A new beginning....

Well, my friends, it appears I am a HOMELESS digidesigner. ROFL After a rather sudden turn of events, I have resigned effective immediately at ostenwilkinsdesigns. I wish Osten all good things for his site, and I know he will be everything he wants to be to the scrapping world.

But I do have a piece of exciting news! Seems I won't be HOMELESS for long! I'm very happy to announce that I will be moving to Treasures To Scrap very soon. www.treasurestoscrap.com

And the MOST exciting part of this is that I will get to work again with my very good friend, Linda Walton, of Bon Scrapatit Designs! It will be SO wonderful to be on the same team with Linda again. She is a fantastic designer, and ABSOLUTELY one of the nicest people I know. Everyone who knows Linda adores her, as evidenced by the HUGE popularity of her blog www.bonscrapatitdesigns.blogspot.com

As a BONUS, as if it could get BETTER - I am told that the people at Treasures To Scrap (TTS for short) are extremely nice and very customer orientated. I see some familiar design faces from 3Scrapateers already there, and I am just CHOMPING at the bit to get there with them!

Look for a GRAND OPENING announcement right HERE very soon! Now..I guess I'd better get busy - LOTS to do, starting with redesigning my poor little blog.

I want to thank each one of you who visited and downloaded my Download of the Day "Happy Holidays". I so enjoyed getting to meet you. You have ALL confirmed what I have suspected for a long time... Scrappers are just NICE PEOPLE! (big hugs to you all)

Friday, December 19, 2008

I'd like you to meet Izzy!

About this time a month ago, our beloved 13 year old Aussie, JJ, started failing. The diagnosis was one no pet owner ever wants to hear - chronic renal failure. We tried everything to save her - IV therapy, lots of drugs, special diets - everything the vet could suggest save dialysis, which is not available in these parts. Her poor old body was just giving out, and the vet likened her to a 90 year old woman. So, after a long and brave struggle on her part, and much anguish on our part, we did the only kind thing left to do - we let her slip peacefully away.

Our hearts were broken. I have never known a more incredible, devoted dog. She was at my side every waking minute, and I know I will miss her till the day I die.

Knowing I couldn't imagine life without an Australian Shepherd in it, I contacted the Aussie Rescue and Placement Helpline, Inc. There were two interesting candidates on their website, but one was already spoken for, and the other did not exhibit true Aussie traits. I thought it was wonderful of the them to be so honest with me. We decided to wait, and knew that one would find US when the time was right.

Then, a few days later, I got an email about a two year old female close to St. Louis that desperately needed a new home. I thought to myself...hey, we need an Aussie and she needs a home! Sounded like a match made in heaven!

We made the long trip, fell in love with her, loaded her in the car, got to meet my good friend Osten aka the Dude, spent some enjoyable time at his house, and drove back home all in a weekend!

Izzy, as her name became, has filled our lives with joy. And she has certainly kept us busy! LOL She's a bundle of energy and curious about every little thing. Typical of an Aussie, she is a "velcro" dog and wants to be right at our feet or by our side. And that's okay with us :)

As promised, I'd like to share some pictures of her with you. Ahem..please pardon the box of Christmas decorations still in the living room. :) What she lacks in coat, she makes up for in temperment. Such a sweet dog and so eager to please. Something tells me JJ is looking down and encouraging Izzy along. At least, I like to think so. And we are blessed.






And to thank you for visiting my blog and meeting Izzy, I'd like to offer another couple of coordinating pieces to Happy Holidays. Thank you SO much for visiting and HAPPY HOLIDAYS to you and yours!



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