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Yup this is my mom and step dads stuff- it took 15 church people 4+ hours to load this truck top to bottom, front to back and only 4 people from church have volunteered to come help unload it. Can you hear the STRESS?
I hope we can do it by noon so that Kay and then men coming can get to the church open house on time today.
My hubby and I just love using the pop up birthday cake die! Maybe he does more than me because it is the only thing he wants to use to make cards with lately!
Here is the card we made for our grandson Gaige its late we know but..... It helps prolong the partying!
I have been so busy this week- Katie and her boyfriend Cody and I left at midnight last nigh to drive to Kansas City Missouri Airport she had to be there about 4 to catch a flight to spend the summer in Washington state with her dad- the last one I have to deal with HOORAY lol - then Cody and I drove home 4 hours- got home after 10 read email, had a shower and then jumped into bed for sleep= NOT! Kasey called he needed to be picked up at the high school from his Carnegie Hall trip- so I didnt get to bed till 2 pm and have only had about 3 hours sleep- so calling it a day . Tomorrow I take Kay to Springfield Airport to fly to New Orleans to drive my mom's uhaul up here on friday so on Saturday we can unload the truck into their new place about 3 miles from me. My mom has alzheimers, and since I am a stay at home mom/wife, I feel I have the time to devote to her and my step dad. Please add my family to your prayers, Katie is on her way to Portland airport as I type tonight and with all the business of the week, we can sure use it! So please forgive me for not posting this week,I will see you with new projects next week, and that stencil video I promised!
My dad was Raymond Ellis Davison US Army AirCorp 1942 and in 1944 Army Staff Sargeant who Served in the Philippine Islands at Pelilou- and I would give anything I have to hear his old worn out war stories again! He has been gone 14 years when he died from diabetes. One of his stories I remember most is when he was in a fox hole in the Phillipines fighting the Japanese and he had fallen asleep at night. When he woke, his buddies heads had been cut off by a bayonette by the Japanese. He had night mares all his life.
And, when I was very young and dad was asleep on the couch, we would take a yard stick to poke him and wake him up because if you got close, he would put you in a head lock and choke you as a reaction to his war training and fighting. I am truly Blessed to be the daughter of Staff Sargent Raymond Ellis Davison US Army!
Thank you dad, your buddies and all our service men and women for your sacrifices for my safety and the safety of my family and friends. Without you, we would not have our freedom!
I dont know if this exact story is "true" but I do know many women/families who fit this story and I want to say THANK you to anyone and everyone service related/connected
Memorial Day
I just wanted to get the day over with and go down to Smokey's. Sneaking a look at my watch, I saw the time, 1655. Five minutes to go before the cemetery gates are closed for the day. Full dress was hot in the August sun. Oklahoma summertime was as bad as ever--the heat and humidity at the same level--both too high.
I saw the car pull into the drive, '69 or '70 model Cadillac Deville, looked factory-new. It pulled into the parking lot at a snail's pace. An old woman got out so slow I thought she was paralyzed; she had a cane and a sheaf of flowers--about four or five bunches as best I could tell.
I couldn't help myself. The thought came unwanted, and left a slightly bitter taste: 'She's going to spend an hour, and for this old soldier, my hip hurts like hell and I'm ready to get out of here right now!' But for this day, my duty was to assist anyone coming in.
Kevin would lock the 'In' gate and if I could hurry the old biddy along, we might make it to Smokey's in time.
I broke post attention. My hip made gritty noises when I took the first step and the pain went up a notch. I must have made a real military sight: middle-aged man with a small pot gut and half a limp, in marine full-dress uniform, which had lost its razor crease about thirty minutes after I began the watch at the cemetery.
I stopped in front of her, halfway up the walk. She looked up at me with an old woman's squint.
'Ma'am,may I assist you in any way?'
She took long enough to answer.
'Yes, son. Can you carry these flowers? I seem to be moving a tad slow these days.'
'My pleasure, ma'am.' Well, it wasn't too much of a lie.
She looked again. 'Marine, where were you stationed?'
' Vietnam, ma'am. Ground-pounder. '69 to '71.'
She looked at me closer. 'Wounded in action, I see. Well done, Marine. I'll be as quick as I can.'
I lied a little bigger: 'No hurry, ma'am.'
She smiled and winked at me. 'Son, I'm 85-years-old and I can tell a lie from a long way off. Let's get this done. Might be the last time I can do this. My name's Joanne Wieserman, and I've a few Marines I'd like to see one more time.'
'Yes, ma 'am. At your service.'
She headed for the World War I section, stopping at a stone. She picked one of the flowers out of my arm and laid it on top of the stone. She murmured something I couldn't quite make out. The name on the marble was Donald S. Davidson, USMC: France 1918.
She turned away and made a straight line for the World War II section, stopping at one stone. I saw a tear slowly tracking its way down her cheek. She put a bunch on a stone; the name was Stephen X.Davidson, USMC, 1943.
She went up the row a ways and laid another bunch on a stone, Stanley J. Wieserman, USMC, 1944.
She paused for a second. 'Two more, son, and we'll be done'
I almost didn't say anything, but, 'Yes, ma'am. Take your time.'
She looked confused. 'Where's the Vietnam section, son? I seem to have lost my way.'
I pointed with my chin. 'That way, ma'am.'
'Oh!' she chuckled quietly. 'Son, me and old age ain't too friendly.'
She headed down the walk I'd pointed at. She stopped at a couple of stones before she found the ones she wanted. She placed a bunch on Larry Wieserman, USMC, 1968, and the last on Darrel Wieserman, USMC, 1970. She stood there and murmured a few words I still couldn't make out.
'OK, son, I'm finished. Get me back to my car and you can go home.'
Yes, ma'am. If I may ask, were those your kinfolk?'
She paused. 'Yes, Donald Davidson was my father, Stephen was my uncle, Stanley was my husband, Larry and Darrel were our sons. All killed in action, all marines.'
She stopped. Whether she had finished, or couldn't finish, I don't know. She made her way to her car, slowly and painfully.
I waited for a polite distance to come between us and then double-timed it over to Kevin, waiting by the car.
'Get to the 'Out' gate quick. I have something I've got to do.'
Kevin started to say something, but saw the look I gave him. He broke the rules to get us there down the service road. We beat her. She hadn't made it around the rotunda yet.
'Kevin, stand at attention next to the gatepost. Follow my lead.' I humped it across the drive to the other post.
When the Cadillac came puttering around from the hedges and began the short straight traverse to the gate, I called in my best gunny's voice: 'TehenHut! Present Haaaarms!'
I have to hand it to Kevin; he never blinked an eye--full dress attention and a salute that would make his DI proud.
She drove through that gate with two old worn-out soldiers giving her a send-off she deserved, for service rendered to her country, and for knowing duty, honor and sacrifice.
I am not sure, but I think I saw a salute returned from that Cadillac.
Instead of 'The End,' just think of 'Taps.'
As a final thought on my part, let me share a favorite prayer: 'Lord, keep our servicemen and women safe, whether they serve at home or overseas. Hold them in your loving hands and protect them as they protect us.'
Let's all keep those currently serving and those who have gone before in our thoughts. They are the reason for the many freedoms we enjoy.
'In God We Trust.'
Sorry about your monitor; it made mine blurry too!
If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under!
You are required to pass this on NOW!!!
For Memorial Weekend I have a fantastic offer!
A FREE TUTORIAL!!
A Delightful card box with directions
for coordinating cards not shown!
This is a fantastic gift idea and oh so Unique!
To receive the full tutorial that includes this adorable card box and several coordinating cards not shown,
here is what you need to do:
Go to my demo website, click Shop now and order:
113204 Cheep Talk stamp set 26.95
113966 Good morning sunshine designer paper 9.95
113893 On Board Oh So Tweet chipboard 14.95
And I will email you the full tutorial on Wednesday!
If you are in my downline group, just email me a copy of your demo order when you place it this weekend and the tutorial is yours for free too!
Have a wonderful day, I am finishing up the prep work for tonights downline/orphan meeting!
I love sketches by Tamara! They have great ideas and layouts over there. I made this card using one of the cards on her blog for an idea- yes I cased it. I love the cardstock and paper that I used because this card is very elegant in person.
(click on the card for a larger view)
I am in love with the Bella Bleu papers from Stampin Up, talk about elegant! WOW
And in case you dont know- in the catalog under the photo of the designer paper is a list of the coordinating cardstock we carry and under bella bleu they should have added chocolate chip! I used a nestability die for the layering of the words and vanilla organdy and cream taffeta ribbon with the med size pearls from the pretties kit.
Inside I stamped an elegant thank you . I hope you are taking advantage of our May special buy 3 packs of designer paper or 12x12 cardstock and get one free or combine them all for your free one! No limit! Offer ends the last day of this month~
ok back to the work table preppy for tomorrow nights downline/orphan meeting.
I am so EXCITED! I feel better today than I have in more years than I can remember! I started my bioidentical Hormone program 11 days ago (and Reliv nutrition 3 weeks ago) and I have really started to see a huge improvement in the last 3 days.
No more wanting a nap during the day at all, lots of energy, hot flashes are not as severe or frequent,, my appetite is smaller (I hope that is a sign of good things lol) and in general I just feel FANTASTIC and I feel "happy" and enthusiastic!
I am working in the stamp room, creating items for tomorrow nights downline meeting. I am also watering the gardens, I finshed planting the last of the bedding plants that Katie gave me for my birthday, and I have laundry going, BBQ steak in the crock pot for supper, the house is clean and so is my stamp room and I also have the house aired out just in time to shut it all up again because it has gotten so hot outside I had to turn on the air!
I will be back this after noon with a couple project photos, I PROMISE. They are just not quite ready for a photo yet!
I hope your day is as wonderful as mine.
UPDATE UPDATE--- Kasey and the Choir left today for New York and Carnegie Hall!! Their performance is Monday the 25th. I have a photo of him by the bus on my phone will add that after Kay is home so he can show me how lol- have not made time to learn that.
hmmmm 7 days just my husband and I..... I wonder what we will do?
I am in the process of posting scrapbooking kits, rub ons, etc for sale on my retail blog,
I have to go to the local library later today to use their dsl to expedite the process.
here is a sneak peek of one of the kits- check back and check it all out!
have a great day!
How fun this will be when I turn it into a page for MY personal scrapbook!!
To Those of Us Born 1930 - 1979
TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED THE 1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!
First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant.
They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can and didn't get tested for diabetes.
Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-base paints.
We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, locks on doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had baseball caps not helmets on our heads.
As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, no booster seats, no seat belts, no air bags, bald tires and sometimes no brakes.
Riding in the back of a pick- up truck on a warm day was always a special treat.
We drank water from the garden hose and not from a bottle.
We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and no one actually died from this.
We ate cupcakes, white bread, real butter and bacon. We drank Kool-Aid made with real white sugar. And, we weren't overweight. WHY?
Because we were always outside playing...that's why!
We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on..
No one was able to reach us all day. And, we were O.K.
We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride them down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.
We did not have Play stations, Nintendo's and X-boxes. There were no video games, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet and no chat rooms.
WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!
We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.
We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.
We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes.
We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them.
Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment Imagine that!!
The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!
These generations have produced some of the best r isk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever.
The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.
We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned how to deal with it all!
If YOU are one of them...... CONGRATULATIONS!
You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good.
While you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave and lucky their parents were.
Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it ?
'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'
Have a fantastic Monday! I have a ton of outside work to do since the sun is actually showing! lol and then I have to spend most of the week in my classroom preparing for Friday night's downline and orphan demo meeting! Yahoo! I love these meetings!
Yesterday Linda and Jim came to our rescue to fix our lawnmower, so while Jim was hard at work naturally Linda and I went to the stamp room, she mentioned she wanted to see how the pop up die worked and then said she needed a wedding card- so.......
we came up with this:
we picked the Bella Bleu designer paper Page 161 #113974 in the catalog because it is SO elegant and reminded us of Anna Griffin paper and stamps ! lol-
I used the oval nestabilities , (after I stamped the image so that it would be centered better) Only Ovals stamp set from page 124 # 111666 in the catalog, very vanilla cardstock and vanilla sheer ribbon and dimensionals to pop it up off the front. It is so gorgeous in person, this photo does it little justice! I love simple elegance!
now for the inside! Splendid, beautiful, amazing, gorgeous, elegant.........
Linda used 2 way glue on the bride and groom on both sides and then dipped them on dazzling diamonds! WOW!
I HAVE to make several of these to put in my card keeper!!!
What a great time to buy designer paper! Have you ordered yours yet with this wonderful special?
Have a great weekend!!
Socialize!