Wednesday Hero: 5/28/08

Gen. Benjamin S. Griffin


General Benjamin S. Griffin, commanding general, U.S. Army Materiel Command, talks with Brig. Gen. Shallal Abdul Rasool Habeeb

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Wednesday Hero: 5/21/08

Sgt. John F. Thomas(Right) & Sgt. Ronnie L. Shelley, Sr.(Left)
33 & 34 years old from Valdosta, Georgia
2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment, 48th Infantry Brigade, Georgia Army National Guard
July 24, 2005 & July 30, 2005


Sgt. Ronnie "Rod" Shelley and Sgt. John F. Thomas became best friends in the Georgia Army National Guard.

They both were ex-Marines, both about the same age, and both enjoyed searching for arrowheads and fishing together. As their friendship grew, Thomas often came over to Shelley’s house for steaks and ribs barbecued by his friend. And when their infantry unit was sent to Iraq in May of 2005, they went to war together.

When their unit was mobilized for combat duty in Iraq, Shelley promised to watch out for Thomas. "Ronnie said, 'Don't you worry, I'll bring him back safely,"' said Thomas' grandfather. But neither Sgt. Thomas or Sgt. Shelley made it back safely. Sgt. Thomas was killed July 24, 2005 by a roadside bomb near Baghdad. And Sgt. Shelley was killed six days later on July 30 by another roadside bomb, also near Baghdad.

Shelley was a family man, married with three children, who was obsessed with having a neat yard, his wife said. "The grass had to be two inches," she said. "If the neighbor mowed the grass, Rod had to mow. He also wanted the biggest, baddest lawn mower."

She said she fell in love with his "gorgeous blue ... eyes," and "he had a laid back attitude. I could not make him mad."

Thomas was married but had no children. His grandparents said he dreamed of becoming a forest ranger. "John wanted to hike the Appalachian Trail. Now the only trail he can walk is the trail in heaven," the grandfather said.

Mrs. Thomas, wiping back tears, said the soldier felt responsible for the others in his unit. "He cared for people," she said. "That's why he had so many friends. People cared for him."

Killed alongside Sgt. Shelley were Staff Sgt. David R. Jones Sr., Sgt. 1st Class Victor A. Anderson and Sgt. Jonathon C. Haggin and killed alongside Sgt. Thomas were Army Spc. Jacques E. Brunson, Army Staff Sgt. Carl R. Fuller and Army Sgt. James O. Kinlow.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Stamp Catalog

Here is an altered project I just completed... I had this old metal index card tin FOREVER. I got it from a thrift store for $2. I have just been waiting for the right papers to come along... And then came the Basic Grey Boxer line... :)

I created the catalog to help me be able to look through my stamps and see what I have at a glance. The catalog holds regular index cards that I have stamped (or printed out and pasted) my stamp images on:



Here is a sample index card:






On the back is the name of the stamp, the maker, and the location of the stamp in my storage system (acrylic CD holders in shelving).

This is how they look filed:



I just thought I should share this project so you all could see the depths of my organization obsession (or as Christi calls it - my anal retentiveness LOL!)

You can see more photos of it here.

Wednesday Hero: 5/14/08

This Weeks Hero Was Suggested By Cindy

Petty Officer 2nd Class Chris Davila
From Sierra Vista, Arizona


On the sixth anniversary of the terrorist attack on the United States, Petty Officer 2nd Class Chris Davila raised an American flag over Camp Korean Village, Iraq, he brought with him from Arizona.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008, Sierra Vista firefighter and emergency medical technician Chris Davila presented that flag to Fire Chief Randy Redmond as fellow firefighters looked on. Monday, May 5, 2008, was Davila’s first day back on the job with the department after being gone for nearly nine months, with seven of those months deployed as a Navy Reserve corpsman serving with a Marine unit near the Jordanian and Syrian border area in Iraq.

And, as luck would have it, on his first shift saw him responding to a blaze in Sierra Vista. "Right back to work," he said with a laugh.

You can read the rest of PO 2nd Class Davila's story here.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Wednesday Hero: 5/7/08

CSM Robert Prosser and LTC Erik Kurilla
1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment (Deuce Four)


LTC. Erik Kurilla and CSM. Robert Prosser's story is an amazing one. One that Michael Yon has told far better than I ever could. Warning. The site contains very graphic images. Some may want to turn off images before viewing.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

MemoryWorks Express May 08 - Fabulous

"Fabulous" May 2008 Kit

This month's kit is simply "FABULOUS"! With deep lavish colors of raspberries, browns, pinks and oranges and a divine altered project that will make you sigh. Plus you'll be amazed by all of the truly delightful page enhancements and embellishments that will add class and sophistication to your Fabulous projects! A girl should be two things classy and fabulous! - Coco Channel Go here to subscribe and get yours: http://scrapbookenthusiast.com/mwexpress.html

Signup Link

I was so excited by our new kit being offered today that I totally forgot to post the signup link!

You can sign up as a new MemoryWorks consultant here:

http://elena.memory-works.com/index.mhtml?page=joinus1&cp=1

If you have any questions, you an read this FAQ:

http://www.memory-works.com/admin/index.mhtml?page=faq

Or contact me at any time...

Thanks guys! :)

Elena

Check Out Our New Kit!!

This is a great time to be a consultant - we have exciting changes going on, including the release of our new 2008-2009 Product Catalog that will be abailable for purchase soon! Another change we're excited to announce is that effective Monday, May 5th we will be offering a brand new updated and upgraded New Consultant Kit!

The new consultant kit will consist of:

• (1) Canvas Messenger Bag - This is one awesome bag! At 13x16x4 it's the perfect size to hold all of your business and scrapbooking supplies, including 12x12 albums, paper packs, catalogs, pens, business cards, and so much more! Plus, it displays the beautiful new MemoryWorks flourish logo - so it's the perfect MemoryWorks business tool!

• (1) New Start-up Folder - This beautiful new full-color custom-printed folder with inserts includes information to help jump start your business and includes all of the information new consultants need to know to get started. It's convenient pockets and business card slot is also a great way to store your important MemoryWorks business materials.

• (1) MemoryWorks Mouse Pad - This 7 ½ x 8 ½ soft custom-printed mouse pad is the key to keeping you connected with your MemoryWorks business...where all MemoryWorks business and correspondence is conducted via the internet and computer it's the perfect business tool.

• (5) 2008-2009 Product Catalogs - Our new catalog beautifully displays the new product line, projects, and ideas featuring the most popular name-brand products available in the scrapbook industry. With trend-setting products that literally sell themselves, it's a consultants number one sales tool!

• (20) Postcard Invitations - These 5x8 postcard invitations are the ideal way to promote your upcoming events and parties. Customize with your information and event details - and drop in the mail for quick and easy advertising!

• (1) 3" MemoryWorks Button - What better way to show you're proud to be a consultant than with a 3" MemoryWorks button with a custom-printed flourish logo. Great to wear for your MemoryWorks events or attach to your messenger bag!

• (15) Order Duplicate Forms - Keep track of your customer orders with these convenient 5 ½ x 8 ½ order forms. Includes a duplicate copy for your customers receipt and consultants keep their own copy for business records.

• (5) MemoryWorks Pens - Let your customers fill out their orders in style with these cool logo pens!

• Consultant Website/Online Business Manual Access - All newly registered consultants will have access to our newly redesigned My Account section - where you can access the Getting Started section to download the new online Business Manual, Policies and Procedures, Online Guide and more. As a new consultant you will have access to our website features that include the information and files that you need to begin your venture as a successful consultant!

Please note that as we've increased the contents of the kits, the new consultant registration fee has increased to $49.95, plus $10.00 shipping and applicable sales tax, which will go into effect Monday, May 5th!

We are excited about the changes that are happening - it's definitely an exciting time to be a part of the MemoryWorks family!

Wednesday Hero 4/30/08

This Weeks Hero Was Suggested By Mary Ann

Wednesday Hero was started to put a face to the men and women of the American Armed Forces and what they do for us. Vary rarely has there been a member of a foreign military profiled. In fact, in the two years Wednesday Hero's been going on it's only been done once before. Here's the second.

Lance Corporal Matt Croucher
24 years old from Birmingham, England
40 Commando Royal Marines


L/Cpl Matt Croucher is not only one of the bravest men alive, he's also one of the luckiest men alive. On the morning of February 9, 2008 L/Cpl. and his unit were searching a compound near Sangin in Afghanistan that was suspected of being used to make bombs to be used in attacks on British and Afghan troops. Walking in the darkness among a group of four men, Croucher stepped into a tripwire that pulled the pin from a boobytrap grenade. His patrol commander, Corporal Adam Lesley, remembered Croucher shouting "Grenade!"

As others dived for cover, Croucher did something nobody expected. He lay down on the grenade to smother the blast. Lesley got on the ground, another man got behind a wall, but the last member of the patrol was still standing in the open when the grenade went off.

"My reaction was, 'My God this can't be real'," said Lesley. "Croucher had simply lain back and used his day sack to blunt the force of the explosion. You would expect nine out of 10 people to die in that situation." L/Cpl. Croucher was that 1/10. Not only did he survive, amazingly he only suffered shock from the blast and a bloody nose. He was saved by the special plating inside his Osprey body armor. The backpack he was wearing was thrown more than 30ft by the blast.

"I felt one of the lads giving me a top to toe check. My head was ringing. Blood was streaming from my nose. It took 30 seconds before I realized I was definitely not dead," said L/Cpl. Croucher.

For his actions that day, L/Cpl. Croucher was in line for the Victoria Cross, the highest award for a British Serviceman, but it has yet to be awarded.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

MemoryWorks National Scrapbook Day Promotion

National Scrapbook Day is Saturday, May 3rd.... MemoryWorks is offering a groovy NSD promotion for you! Mega "Groovy" Kit MemoryWorks is offering customers and consultants a groovy value on this exclusive 396-piece Mega Groovy Kit from Three Bugs in a Rug! It's a fantastic price of only $20 - which is an unbeleivable savings as the regular retail price is well over $40! The 396-piece Mega Groovy kit includes the following items: 18 - 12x12 Patterned Cardstock Paper 12 - 12x12 Solid Color Cardstock Paper 52 - 3" Monogram Cardstick Die-Cut Letters 113 - Alphabet Cardstock Stickers (Pink) 113 - Alphabet Cardsto Stickers (Brown, Pink and Blue) 52 - Chit Chat Cardstock Stickers 36 - Die-cut Tags and Accents Purchase Your Kit Today! Promotional Disclaimer: Offer good only while supplies last. Promotional kit is limited to a first come, first serve basis. All sales are final, no refunds or exchanges accepted on promotional offer.

NEW MemoryWorks Catalog Sneak Peek:

Hey guys!

Our new catalog is about ready to be released and oh BOY is there LOTS of wonderful stuff... Here's our new catalog - click on the photo below to see a sneak peek of the new things we have in store (some of which is already available!). It is a BIG file, so be patient while it loads - it is worth it! :)



Many things are already available! Take a look and order from my site.

Wednesday Hero: 4/23/08

Click To Enlarge


Cpl. Markbradley Vincze gives students from al-Raqhaa School backpacks in the Monsouri area of Iraq. Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1-76th FA, 4th BCT, 3rd Inf. Div., delivered backpacks, soccer balls and notebooks.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Wednesday Hero: 4/16/08

Maj. Mark E. Rosenberg
32 years old from Miami Lakes, Florida
3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
April 8, 2008


Mark Rosenberg grew up in South Florida. "All boy," his aunt, Madelyn Rosenberg, remembers. "Very active, but very lovable." As long as she can recall, Maj. Rosenberg wanted a military career like his father, Burton Rosenberg, had.

He attended New Mexico Military Institute and entered the Army in 1996. Later, he met a woman, Julie, and they married one day after his sister's wedding. He and Julie had two boys, now 3 and 22 months. They settled in Colorado near Fort Carson, where he was assigned to the 4th Infantry Division.

Maj. Rosenberg was on his second tour of duty when the Humvee he was riding in was struck by an IED in Baghdad.

"He would say he's over there to do a job," Madelyn Rosenberg remembered. "He loved what he was doing."

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.Labels: Iraq, Un

Wednesday Hero: 4/9/08

Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael T. Williams
(Click Image For Full Size)


Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael T. Williams, a kennel master with Task Force Military Police, 1st Battalion, 10th Marines, and his dog "Kitt", search for ordnance and firearms during a route reconnaissance operation through the western Anbar province of Iraq April 1. The dog handlers conduct operations in support of 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion to bring peace and stability to Iraq and its people.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Pet Photo Contest at Snapfish

Hey guys!

I entered my doggies in a photo contest at Snapfish… There are three categories – if you have a minute would you mind voting for my furbabies? J

Barkley’s First Bath:

http://www.snapfish.com/viewsinglevote/contestname=funnypets/contestentryoid=1238754/a=7120704

Barkley’s Baby Photo:

http://www.snapfish.com/viewsinglevote/contestname=babypets/contestentryoid=1238756/a=7120704

Buddies:
http://www.snapfish.com/viewsinglevote/contestname=bestfriends/contestentryoid=1238755/a=7120704

Thanks so much – I appreciate it! :)

MW Express - April 2008 "Bloom"

"Bloom" April 2008 Kit The "Bloom" April 2008 kit will have you excited for the beautiful garden to come! Frolic in our elegant garden, with fresh, inviting spring colors, delicate flourishes and garden-inspired florals - your creativity will positively blossom! We're adding just a touch of elegance with new and exciting page enhancements and embellishments...laced with glimpses of black, sheer, glitter, and antique finishes that will let your memories bloom. Create your own beautiful bouquet of projects with the new "Bloom" April 2008 kit! "Bloom" April 2008 Kit PDF Let Your Creativity Bloom... April Projects Just like green grass, warm weather, sunny days and fragrant flowers, nothing says spring quite like our new "Bloom" kit! You'll love the elegant spring garden that awaits as you frolic in an array of spring-inspired products - including this months altered projects! Amber Crowell, MemoryWorks Founder, had some springtime fun of her own creating these delightful projects. Amber was inspired by the quotation "Dance like no one is watching..." (on the Antique Cream paper included in this month's kit) to create a darling home décor keepsake and 12x12 layout showcasing her daughters love for dance. "I love this kit! I loved using the elegant touches of the black accents to compliment the bright, spring colored paper and patterns!", states Amber. "My black-and-white photos of Katelyn combined with the black embellishments added the perfect touch to the project!"

Subscribe Today

Wednesday Hero: 4/2/08

This Weeks Hero Was Suggested By Mary Ann

Spc. Jeffrey Jamaleldine
Company C, 1st Battalion, 77th Armor


"How can I say to my sons, stand up for something, fight for what you think is right, if I don't do anything myself?"

The Jeffrey Jamaleldine that you speak to today is a complete 180 from the Jeffrey Jamaleldine that you would have spoke to in the past. In 1991, Jamaleldin was living in Germany when he joined in anti-American protests on Berlin's Kurfürstendamm boulevard during Operation Desert Storm. "That was the way it was back then," he says. He was 15 and "America was simply the enemy." And today, Jeffery Jamaleldine is a wounded veteran of the U.S. Army. On June 6, 2005, after the terror bombing in Madrid, Spain, in the middle of the Iraq war, he showed up at the U.S. Army recruiting office in Little Rock, Arkansas, to enlist. His father, Bashir, told him at the time: "Son, this won't be a picnic."

On June 30, Jamaleldine was on patrol in Ramadi, Iraq. The patrol ahead of him had been ambushed by at least 70 combatants and were now under fire. During the fight, Spc. Jeffrey Jamaleldine was hit in the face by a bullet. In the end, the battle lasted into the next morning and the soldiers were able to stop the enemy from returning to Ramadi.

The article on Spc. Jeffrey Jamaleldine is five pages long, and I simply can not condense it down to only a few paragraphs. You can read the entire story here.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Matt Maupin Has Been Found

I have been posting the Wednesday Hero posts for almost a year now, and Matt Maupin was one of my first posts... He has been missing since 2004. Sadly, his remains have been found.

Say a prayer for his family - may he rest in peace...

Wednesday Hero: 3/26/08

This Weeks Hero Was Suggested by Kathi

Soldiers' Angels Living Legends Team
May No Soldier Go Unloved

Living Legends began in May 2005 with a very small team of seven dedicated angels. The team's mission was to let the families and friends of fallen heroes know that we were here to support them and to honor their loved one. At the same time, they had to make sure that they were sensitive to what the family was going through. While this team has grown tremendously, they have worked very hard to maintain that same level of dedication and sensitivity. This team is staffed with trained volunteers who carry out a very difficult mission for Soldiers' Angels. Due to their dedication, Soldiers' Angels is able to honor those heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation and to pay their respects and offer their deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones grieving the painful loss of their son or daughter; husband or wife; brother or sister; mom or dad; aunt or uncle; their friend.

For more information on the Soldiers' Angels Living Legends Team, you can visit their site.

TSometimes a hero is one who sacrifices everything in their life to help others. And sometimes a hero is one who sacrifices nothing more than their time.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

April MW Express Kit Speak Peek!

April 2008 Kit Sneak Peek! SPRING GARDEN... Our April kit will have you excited for the beautiful garden to come! Frolic in our elegant garden, with fresh, inviting spring colors, delicate flourishes and garden-inspired florals - your creativity will positively blossom! We're adding just a touch of elegance with new and exciting page enhancements and embellishments that will let your memories bloom. Create your own beautiful bouquet of projects with the April 2008 kit! April 2008 Sneak Peek PDF

Subscribe to MW Express Today - Receive the April 2008 Kit!* Let your creativity bloom with MemoryWorks Express! Each MemoryWorks Express kit features six solid 12x12 textured cardstock; eight sheets of 12x12 designer patterned paper; five 5.5 x 8.5 matching cards and envelopes; and one fabulous altered project. Plus, each kit is brimming with oodles of embellishments, enhancements and page elements to bring your creativity to life! Not only will you enjoy creating your own personalized projects, but our kits are so versatile that it's perfect for anyone who enjoys the paper crafting hobby, whether it's scrapbooking, stamping, card making or altered projects! We invite you to step outside of the scrapbook box to sample new and innovative products, techniques and styles by subscribing to the MemoryWorks Express Scrapbook Kit Club. Subscribe to MemoryWorks Express Customers have until April 3 to subscribe - however there are a limited number of April subscriptions available. If you want to receive a April kit we encourage you to subscribe to MemoryWorks Express as soon as possible! Subscriptions are selling out fast - there are no guarantees that you'll qualify to receive this month's kit. If April subscriptions are already sold out, you will automatically be put on the waiting list for the next month's kit. Please see the MemoryWorks FAQ sheet for more details: MemoryWorks Express FAQ Sheet