~BLOGGER AWARDS FOR YOU~

PLEASE TAKE THESE 2 AWARDS as YOU DESERVE THEM!!!

Hugs, Amy

~In Loving Memory of Our Michelle~

~WE MISS YOU MICHELLE and CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S BEEN A YEAR~

Michelle, 48, died Monday, March 26, 2007, in an automobile/semi-truck accident. Funeral Mass: 10 a.m. Friday, St. Mary's Catholic Church. Burial: Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Funeral Home in Cedar Rapids. The Rev. David Ambrosy will officiate.Survivors include her husband, John; two daughters, Kelsey, attending the University of Northern Iowa, and Lindsey, at home; her parents, Dewain and Donna of Marion; father-in-law, Harvey of Marion; a brother, Dan (Julie) of Stratford; a sister, Jill (Jeff) of Bettendorf; and sister-in-law, Debbie (Jerry) of Marion. Also surviving are nieces and nephews, Kim (Andrew), Kari, Paige, Spencer and Carter; a great-nephew, Jacob; and a great-niece, Megan. She was preceded in death by her mother-in-law, Jean; an infant brother, George; and her grandparents. Michelle was born Aug. 16, 1958, in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of Dewain and Donna. She married John on Oct. 12, 1985, in Marion. Michelle was a dental lab technician in Cedar Rapids for 28 years. She graduated from Marion High School in 1977 and Kirkwood Community College in 1979. She enjoyed gardening and attending the girls' school activities. She was a loving wife, mother, daughter and friend. She will be greatly missed by all. A memorial fund for the girls has been established in lieu of flowers.

WOW~International Pictures of the Year~

International Pictures of the Year
First Place

Todd Heisler 1st PlaceThe Rocky Mountain News

When 2nd Lt. James Cathey's body arrived at the Reno Airport , Marines climbed into the cargo hold of the plane and draped the flag over his casket as passengers watched the family gather on the tarmac. During the arrival of another Marines casket last year at Denver International Airport , Major Steve Beck described the scene as so powerful: 'See the people in the windows? They sat right there in the plane, watching those Marines. You gotta wonder what's going through their minds, knowing that they're on the plane that brought him home,' he said 'They will remember being on that plane for the rest of their lives. They're going to remember bringing that Marine home. And they should.'
Second Place

Todd Heisler 2nd place The Rocky Mountain News

The night before the burial of her husband's body, Katherine Cathey refused to leave the casket, asking to sleep next to his body for the last time. The Marines made a bed for her, tucking in the sheets below the flag. Before she fell asleep, she opened her laptop computer and played songs that reminded her of 'Cat,' and one of the Marines asked if she wanted them to continue standing watch as she slept. 'I think it would be kind of nice if you kept doing it,' she said. 'I think that's what he would have wanted.' Blue Fridays. Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing blue every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the 'silent majority' We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or overbearing. Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -- and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that ... every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar, will wear something blue. By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of blue much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in BLUE and it will let our troops know the once 'silent' majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on. The first thing a soldier says when asked 'What can we do to make things better for you?' is ...'We need your support and your prayers.' Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example, and wear something blue every Friday.

~GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS~

Amy

~A MODEST FRIEND & MORE~

~WISH THIS WAS "MY" CRAFT ROOM~

~MY SWEET FRIEND Lajuana from ALABAMA sent me pictures of her craft room. GALS...I AM IN AWE and DROOLING all over my keyboard. I told her she NEEDS to start a blog....she is so talented and we ALL would LOVE to see MORE!!! Looking at this I would say she needs to be in Romantic Homes Magazine....don't you agree??? She hasn't started a blog because she is being modest and doesn't feel her decor and skills are any where near that of ours. HA!!! I SAY....Leave a comment here for her and tell her to START HER BLOG TODAY.~

We woke up to SNOW on Easter Morning.....that was pretty crazy and I am happy to say it is all melted once again....YIPPY SKIPPY!!!
Have a great night and oh, I almost forgot....there's new stuff on the website. Lots of stuff too.

Love and Hugs, Amy

I am THANKFUL TODAY because:

Yesterday's Snow Melted and I saw my FIRST ROBIN

I still have a tolerant hubby who just left to pick me up yet ANOTHER Freecycle.org treasure, I will show pictures tomorrow of what it is!!!

Fat Free FRENCH VANILLA Coffee Creamer.....ooooo it makes my coffee taste so good

Old Linens....cause someday I will learn to sew

Ripe Bananas because TODAY at age 42 was the First DAY I ever made banana bread. I HAD NO IDEA it was that easy, I always thought it needed yeast......and it's my favorite bread of all and so I am totally thrilled that I know how to make it...and its super simple....go to http://www.simplerecipes.com/ they have great stuff.