About Me

Florence, Arizona
Welcome to my blog. I am newly retired and eager to enjoy it all - decorating, shopping, cooking, travel and most crafts - paper crafts, stained glass, mosaic, mixed media, sketching, painting - you name it, I want to try it.
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Thursday, November 11, 2010

WELCOME TO OUR VETERAN'S DAY HOP

I am so happy to be participating in this Blog Hop.  First and foremost, I'd like to share my Veteran's story with you, then more about the hop!!

This is an interview with Mike, and once again, I am so happy to share it with you. 


1. What branch of the service were/are you in?   US Army

2. What’s your rank?   Major (retired)

3. What made you decide to join the service? Why this branch?
Carter was President, the economy was horrible, I had a pregnant wife and the rest is history.

4. What’s the best thing about being in the military? The exposure to large, complex problems early and often. Awesome preparation to do just about anything on the outside. Too bad most employers don't get it.

5. What’s the hardest thing about being in the military? Being away from your family for long periods of time. Missing important things like anniversaries, your child's first steps or words….you give up a lot.

6. Do you think Veterans and Active Service Personnel get the respect they deserve? Today, yes. The 80’s were really bad.

7. What could crafters and artists do to help support you? Just about anything reminding of home and family helps. You get a sense of connectedness.

8. What else would you like to share with our readers? A military career is a tough road. Most don't make it past the first enlistment because it is so hard on people and families. Also, I know very few career military who want anything to do with war...there is a screwy popular notion that says just the opposite thanks to Hollywood drivel. A perfect example of the disconnect to reality was in the awful movie "The Hurt Locker". One, I would not have an idiot like the main character in any unit under my command. People like that get other people hurt and do not exist in anything like the reality I know. And yet we give it an Academy award. You should see some of the commentary on military websites. Also, military folks live at an accelerated pace. Most who have experienced real operations don't want to talk about it. Please respect that. A lot of vets and those currently serving have PTSD. They do not need reminding of what they've seen and experienced. It is not cool, glorious, or fun.

I am in awe of the dedication and devotion of this person.  "Thank you" seems so inadequate, but THANK YOU TO ALL.

You should have started the blog at http://karelj.blogspot.com/, and you should have arrived here from Celeste at Touched By a Butterfly.  When you are done here, please head over to see Michelle at Peanut Butter and Jelly Designs, http://peanutbutterandjellydesigns.blogspot.com/.

In celebration of Veteran's Day, I made this tic-tac-toe board.  The bear and sentiment are digi stamps from http://deedeesdigis.blogspot.com/.  Isn't that little bear cute?



In case any of you get lost hopping, here is our complete line-up:

1. KarelJ at One By One The Flamingos Are Stealing My Sanity http://karelj.blogspot.com/
2. Celeste at Touched By a Butterfly http://www.touchedbyabutterfly.com/
(you don't need to leave a comment here - bloghop problem!)
3. Deb at Tidbit’s Place http://tidbitsplace.blogspot.com/ (YOU ARE HERE)
4. Michelle at Peanut Butter and Jelly Designs http://peanutbutterandjellydesigns.blogspot.com/
5. Jennifer at Young’s Scrapping http://youngsscrapping.blogspot.com/
6. Diane at Crafting This Moment http://craftingthismoment.blogspot.com/
7. Judy at Be Present Be Real http://bepresentbereal.blogspot.com/
8. Marianne at Life From Marianne’s Table http://number1aunt.blogspot.com/
9. Deb at If It’s Groovy http://ifitsgroovy.blogspot.com/
10. Christel at One Scrappin’ Sista http://onescrappinsista.blogspot.com/
11. Belinda at Queen Bee’s Musings http://queenbeesmusings.blogspot.com/
12. Colleen at Col’s Creative Corner http://scrappycol.blogspot.com/
13. Summer and Jennifer at Cricut Diaries http://cricutdiaries.blogspot.com/
14. Rachel at Suburban Crafter http://www.rachelstampshappy.blogspot.com/
15. Gina at Gina Thornton Stamping http://ginathorntonstamping.blogspot.com/
16. Becky at Susan’s Blog http://sewingstitches.blogspot.com/
17. Rebecca at Creations With Becca http://creationswithbecca.blogspot.com/
18. Bobbi Jo at Sassy Sweet Diva
 http://sweetsassydiva-gspot.blogspot.com/

19. Angie at Gypsy Paperie http://gypsypaperie.blogspot.com/
20. Linda at The Tulip Collector http://thetulipcollector.blogspot.com/


Our amazing Blog Candy (2—count ‘em! TWO Chances to win!!) are brought to you through the generosity of Marlo, who created the marvelous Scrap’NTote and Anne, from Paper Patch Crafts.


The rules for entering are the same for both prizes: Hop along our path and leave a comment AND a way to contact you on each and every stop. Please leave contact information in a safe manner ( ie, written out, rather than a direct link). On Friday, November 12, KarelJ will use random.org to first select a blog number (1-20) and then a comment number from that blog for each prize. She will post the winner’s name on her blog and notify the bloggers, so they can also post the winner. KarelJ will contact the winner, using the information left in the comment. If there is no information available, she will choose another winner from the same blog. It is up to the winner to contact KarelJ at ksjennings(at)gmail(dot)com. If she has not been contacted by Monday, November 15, another winner will be chosen.

Now, on to the good stuff! Our first prize is a wonderful Pink Scrap’Ntote to store your Cricut Cartridges in! It comes to us from Marlo, at ContainYaCrafts. You can see the wonderful way this binder system keeps all your carts together, and ready to go in a flash on this link: http://www.cricutcartridgestorage.com/index.htm   Need more than one? Put it on the Christmas Wish List and have the hubs order NOW, as they are simply flying out of stock! We got one of the final donations for the year, and are so grateful to Marlo!

Our second terrific prize is a set of Spellbinders Nesties in the Crown Circle Shape. It comes to us via the generosity of Anne, whose family has an incredibly strong military heritage. You can read more about Anne and her husband on Linda and Gina’s Blogs. You can also check out paper Patch Crafts here, to see what other incredible things Anne has to sell! http://stores.ebay.com/Paper-Patch-Crafts

53 comments:

  1. Wonderful story.. I am so glad to be doing this hop with you..Very nice project.

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  2. It is so wonderful that you all are doing a blog hop for Veteran's Day. I want to say bless you to all members of the military and their families. It is an awesome sacrifice that they make to keep our country safe and free.

    tracyg398 at yahoo dot com

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  3. What a clever idea! Very cute!

    Melissa
    www.disneydreamerdesigns.blogspot.com

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  4. I'm so impressed! My Veteran is currently retired, but he is and always will be my hero. Thank you so much for recognizing these self-less individuals!

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  5. I love your project, it is a great idea!! Thanks for sharing and showing your support on this day!

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  6. Cute project and digi. TFS!

    Christel
    Blog Hop Sista
    www.onescrappinsista.blogspot.com

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  7. This is just so much fun! Love the tic-tac-toe board. It's nice to hear from real military people, who have fought the fight and lived the life, instead of all the politicians and news people. Thanks for being in the hop! Karelj

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  8. Very nice tic tac toe project. Might come in very hand in the future. Thank you for posting the questions and answers for us. I love to read then and am very honored that you participated in this hop.

    Tonya

    tleigenheer at yahoo dot com

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  9. Great project and the bear IS cute!!
    lauraleed48atlivedotca

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  10. What a cute game! I'm so glad I stopped by, we are having a book fair next week honoring the Troops and Vets and this would make a great family activity for the kids to play at the book fair (I hope you don't mind if I scraplift a bit.). TFS!

    Melanie
    Scrappily Ever After Blog

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  11. How cute is that Tic Tac Toe game board?! My kiddos would love it! TFS :)

    And Thank you for supporting our troops!

    Stacey
    shalbgewachs(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

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  12. I love this game!! It would be perfect for younger kids to understand the importance of today.

    Thank you
    Liza
    lizahenderson814@yahoo.com

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  13. That would be a great game for teaching kindergarten and first graders about veteran's day. thanks for taking part in this day with us.

    Michelle

    mpetrovich23(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  14. Love the ideas!!
    cheryl
    c.antley130@comcast.net

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  15. Very cute and thank you for the great interview!

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  16. Thank you for sharing. Your tic-tac-toe board is adorable! (Very craftastic!) The interview was very interesting to read, and I so agree with what was said about Hollywood drivel!

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  17. I am enjoying the stories! We are a retired Military family and it is a big sacrifice to be in the Military. I appreciate what my Husband and all of our Military members have done and are doing to keep our Country Safe and Great!
    Tammy
    otrbanks at earthlink dot net

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  18. Cute project. Thanks for being in the hop.

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  19. What a great idea. This would be great for my children. Thank you for the awesome idea

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  20. Thank you for acknowledging and honoring
    our veterans. They are a brave troupe.


    TR

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  21. What a cute idea. Your bear is darling.

    grannyanne16@hotmail.com

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  22. Super Cute project! Thanks for showing support to our veterans!

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  23. I love new ideals and this is a great one!! Thanks for the hop!
    miller896042@bellsouth.net

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  24. What a great idea I love reading all the comments. kathybalman@gmail.com

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  25. Great project. Thanks for sharing.
    marionment@msn.com

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  26. What a wonderful idea for a game board. TFS

    Burffrau @ aol dot com

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  27. Your projects are great. Thank you for the chance to win.
    Cherylann (prinkles)
    prinkles@woh.rr.com

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  28. Thank you to Mike and everyone else who serves.
    Love your layout.
    stuff at gt dot rr dot com

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  29. Love your tic-tac-toe board! Thanks for sharing your creativity!!!

    tammy (at) iplanitmeetings (dot) com

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  30. Thank you for sharing your project and being part of the hop.

    cureta2 at yahoo dot com

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  31. This game is adorable and what a great idea!
    lfuchs1 at wi. rr. com

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  32. Great idea to honor the vets! Thanks!

    Carmen

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  33. Love your tic tac toe game, just adorable!
    Enjoyed reading your interview.
    I am a new follower.
    TFS and a chance to win
    Bonnie C
    http://ascrapabove.blogspot.com
    ascrapabove at aol dot com

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  34. great project.. on to the next stop.. thanks for sharing..
    juicycreations808@gmail.com

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  35. Thank you for sharing Mikes story and that tic tac toe board is AWESOME! My little one would love to play with it! LOL!

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  36. awesome idea. thank you for doing the hop.

    esigmon at cox dot net

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  37. Would have never thought to use my cricut to make a tic tac toe board!

    dmcarlisle09atgmaildotcom

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  38. Great interview! It is good to see the different answers to the same questions.
    Yes, the bear is very cute! And, so is your tic, tac, toe board. Great job!

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  39. Very cute TFS
    NYGIRL1994 at yahoo dot com

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  40. great project and great blog hop!!
    craftymomma
    stratus2134@aol.com

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  41. Very nice project. Very creative. Thank you for a chance to win.

    pennyspad at sbcglobal dot net

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  42. wonderful game! I'm so honored to be part of this blog hop! I am really enjoying all the variety and stories
    http://sweetsassydiva-gspot.blogspot.com

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  43. I can honestly say, that I would have never thought of a tic tac toe board as a project, which makes it all the more FABULOUS! Imagine making them magnetic so the kids could play with it in the car! And Patriotic? What could be better!!!!!
    Thanks for hopping along with us!
    Gina
    GRKIDDO at Verizon.net

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  44. What a wonderful blog hop in honor of our veterans! Love the tic tac toe game!
    Clara

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  45. Oh Deb! What a wonderful interview. The 80's were so horrible for our service men and women, weren't they? Thanks for the interview. Your Tic Tac Toe board is amazing! I am thinking about making one for our VFW here as a little thank you. Great Idea!
    Col

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  46. What a really smart idea making a gme board! Cool use of scrappy goodies and in three wonderful colors of course!!!

    HVD, Groovy Deb♥
    groovydeb@yahoo.com

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  47. Your Tic Tac Toe is precious!

    I'm hopping through to see what every else posted!

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  48. Thanks for doing this hop my husband is a VET.
    Rebecca Minor
    buzzybeedesignsATyahooDOTcom

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  49. Your game board is so cute.

    vwilson577 at yahoo.com

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  50. Great hop and thank you!!! Love the layout:)

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  51. Great interview, project & thanks for participating in the blog hop. God bless all of our veterans and military for your sacrifices to our countries.

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  52. Gret project thanks for the inspiration!!

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