Great giveaway to check out

www.IlluminatedPerfume.etsy.com is offering a wonderful giveawy - check her out!!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/devinedesignsjewelry

http://www.etsy.com/shop/devinedesignsjewelry.......Check her out, she was just featured in the Wire Jewelry Magazine Gallery!!! Congrats Cindy

Happy Birthday Daddy

My Dad, Jack W. Sylvester, would be 91 years old today, he passed on to the next chapter in his journey 2 years ago. I miss you, I love you.

A Beautiful New Year

Happy New Year everyone. I know I'm a few weeks late but I want to send love to all anyway. I have just experienced a wonderful two weeks traveling. John was attending a conference in Las Vegas for 1 1/2 weeks so I accompanied him. We took the Airstream and stayed out at the RV lodging at Nellis AFB. It was a beautiful facility. We also had the pleasure of meeting up with one of John's AFA classmates, Allan Herzberg. We'd seen him at the reunion in November but before that it had been years---lots of catching up. He's single so I think he enjoyed the companionship and the meals. He told me he usually eats box dinners-yuk...

Anyway, while John was conducting business during the daytime, I spent my time researching and reading up on silversmithing and jewelry design. It was an opportune time for me to just "chill out" and re-group after the holidays. I really was able to relax and reflect. I took the time to realize just how fortunate I am and what a wonderful life I've been living. I became so filled with enthusiasm and excitement that I thought I was going to burst right on the spot. I spend hours sketching and thinking about pieces of jewelry I want to create.....I am so happy to be home again and back in my studio that I could just scream with delight - maybe I will (no one in this neighborhood would hear me anyway-tee hee).

So my little chickadees-love to all and take the time to thank God for the gifts you've been given and use them to make him proud. Off to pour a cup of tea and get busy....yippee!!!! Hugs and love, Sal

Merry Christmas and Peace To All

Make a Smilebox greeting

It Would Be An Honor

Red Shirt

If the red shirt thing is new to you, read below how it went for a man...

Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together.. After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who'd been invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and inquired if he was heading home.No, he responded.Heading out I asked? No. I'm escorting a soldier home.Going to pick him up?No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq , I'm taking him home to his family. The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to the gut.. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn't know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier's family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days. I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, Thank you Thank you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do.

Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom. "Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join us on this flight He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign."Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made me realize that I am proud to be an American

So here's a public Thank You to our military Men and Women for what you do so we can live the way we do.

Red Fridays.Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red 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 a far, will wear something red. By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of red 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 RED 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 red every Friday.

Devine Designs Jewelry is having a giveaway

Check it out - http://www.etsy.com/shop/devinedesignsjewelry.

Wonderful jewelry and a great giveaway!!