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Related Resources • July Story Starter • May Story Starter • April Story Starter • Quick and Easy Pages: Book Review of New Book by Joanna Campbell Slan • Journaling and Lettering • How To Get Started Journaling in Your Album: Beginner How To

From Other Guides • Journaling for Scrapbooks

Elsewhere on the Web • Scrapbook Storytelling

1) THERAPISTS GO ON VACATION -- I'm not joking. Traditionally, in New York City the month of August was a rough month because therapists were unavailable.

• Page Idea -- Who do you turn to for wise counsel and nurturing? Where do you go when your feelings are hurt? What books or tapes have helped you improve your mental health? Add your journaling about these questions to a page with a photo or illustration that is meaningful to you.
• Journaling and Page Idea -- Create a Treasure Map page. Find photos or embellishments to illustrate what you'd like in your life. Attach these images to a page along with affirmations or prayers. Date the page. Make yourself a note to return to the page on a monthly basis to chart your progress.

2) NATIONAL SMILE WEEK -- The first week in August is the week designated for you to wear a smile and create happiness for you and the receiver. The idea was sponsored by Heloise, the syndicated columnist.

• Page Idea -- Compare your children pre-and post-front teeth. Or select a series of photos showing various smiles. Of course, you'll want to do a Tooth Fairy page and explain how this mythical creature rewards the wee ones at your house.
• Photo Idea -- Take family pictures and have doubles developed. Crop the smiles from one and then create a page that challenges you to match the smiles with family members.

3) SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE WEEK -- The first seven days of August are dedicated to doing something to make your life simpler, more organized, less complicated and less cluttered. Here's a marvelous book to get you started: The Zen of Organization by Regina Leeds.

• Page Idea -- Take a photo before and after you de-clutter an area of your home.
• Journaling Idea -- Write about how it feels to be streamlined. Or write about the problems you faced while paring down. We used to put Salvation Army items in the same garbage bags as our trash. Not any more! When we realized we'd tossed out an entire bag of good stuff that could have been re-used, we learned to mark give-away bags with green tape to avoid confusion. Have you had a similar adventure?

4) AUGUST -- By definition, the word means important, inspiring awe or admiration. A friend of mine with a handicapped child started a folder full of clippings about people who overcame adversity. Her plan was to present the folder as a gift to her son when he became old enough to read them. Until that time, she and her husband used the stories in the folder to tell him about everyday heroes who refused to let life circumstances determine their attitude.

• Page Idea -- Use photos of family members and friends to tell stories of heroism. All of us have overcome difficulties, but often we neglect to tell our children about them. Use your interviewing skills to learn more and journal about dear ones in the circle of your family.
• Journaling Idea --"You were bigger than life when…" Start with this sentence stem and write responses for members of your family. Recently, my son's performance at his 6th Grade Graduation impressed me with what a confident child I am raising. Why not tell a loved one when they've gone above and beyond your high expectations?

5) NATIONAL GOLF MONTH -- Whether your swing is purely put-put or Tiger-Woods-would-be-jealous, record your relationship with that little white ball.

• Page Idea -- My son's golf camp issues a video comparing each camper's swing to that of Tiger Woods. You could take a photo of a golfer in action and make a similar comparison on a scrapbook page.
• Journaling Idea -- Who do you know who loves to golf? Get them to expound on their favorite subject. Add a few lines from popular golf books. The combination will give your golfing pages more depth than a straight forward report on your scores.

Have a blessed July. -- Joanna