A Scraplift Challenge

Hey Y'all,
I just finished posting my entry for the ScrapLift Challenge Week 13 at Scrapbook Graphics. It was a totally awesome layout to scraplift and I hope I did it justice. I decided to use two old photos of my mom back in 1939-40 (just a good guesstimate). Yep, she's been gone a while now, ten years . . . but I promise you that anyone that ever knew her has certainly not forgotten her. She was a Pistol with a capital "P." She went through a lot in her 73 years, 2 marriages, 4 children, cancer, 2 brain aneurysms, and a host of other things I'd rather not mention (LOL). Anywho, here is my layout:

PP: Flergs Vintage Garden Floral 3, 1(altered), & StrawberryDelight Mini paper 2; Tear: Flergs VintageGardenFloral horiz. tear; Birgit Kerr Edgy Edges Cardboard; Aged Frame: Me; Flergs PsychoMagnet Ribbon 1 & Caramel Pudding Bow Wrap;PaintTheMoon Leaves Tie1;Flergs Rough & Tumble Tag;Flergs Cherry Blossom Borders 6; Flergs Nanas Secret Garden Leaves;Flergs Butterfly Garden Flower 3;Font: TrueType English 111 Vivace; Software: Adobe Photoshop CS3

In her day, she was considered very beautiful. My dad always said she was a "knock-out!"

I have had a heck of a week! Wow! Spring break was certainly busy for me; I had umpteen visitors. All the little kiddos were out of school and the moms brought them to see me. So lovely. I got to see my North Carolina grands twice so far this week and maybe it will be three times if they come tomorrow. I have to take advantage of the weekends now because softball and soccer are getting ready to begin and then I'm a sports nanny.

It's getting late and I have loads to do before bed so . . .

Tootles!

I Made A Template!

Hey Y'all! First I want to share with you the layout I did last week using a puzzle template made by Bernadette Hunt of Natural Designs In Scrapbooking. It was really easy and it gave me an idea that I ran with today! Don't you love how Photoshop can do all sorts of things? It's probably not the best layout I've ever done but I was so pumped to use the new puzzle templates that I didn't take a lot of time to "think" this one out.

All The Pieces
PP: Scrappin Delights Designs; Overlay: Ilona Havenaar mis-coverlays 3; Ripped Overlay: Jen Caputo; Puzzle Templates: Bernadette Hunt; Shapes: Flergs' Funky Stars; Font: SquireD by Microsoft True Type; Software: Photoshop CS3

This is the layout I did today and I used a heart template that I designed myself. It was super easy to do but I thought you might want to have one that you didn't have to make yourself, so I prepared one for download!

Happy B'day Libby!
Paper, daisies, bling, butterfly brush, alpha, Heart Template: Liv's Lovelies; font: Technical TT MS

The upload doesn't do the layout justice; it really doesn't have all that "noise" in it on my computer. Anyway, here is the template and a link to 4 shared so you can get it for your stash! Oh yes, I also included the directions for use which are very simple but took longer for me to type up than to make the template!

Go Here

I hope you enjoy using it. Please leave me a link in the comments if you use it-I really love to see your work! And don't forget to leave me some LUV if you download it. Also, if your friends would like to have one, please direct them to this blog.

Hope all is well with y'all. The lovey dovey furry things must have "finished" making babies because they didn't wake me this morning! I got to sleep until 8:10am! Woo Hoo!

Tootles!

*%&# Squirrels

I had to post because I needed to vent! The squirrel that I have battled since last Thanksgiving has now invited his true love to live with him. I know this how? BECAUSE THE BLASTED THINGS ARE MAKING LOVE RIGHT OVER MY HEAD EVERY MORNING!!!!!!!!!!!! As soon as the sun starts to come up they are "going at it" like bunnies. They are so noisy it is impossible to sleep through it. And just think, I will have an entire family up there soon! I have scattered mothballs all over the attic, (so much so that my eyes water downstairs) I bought 3 of those high frequency what-cha-ma-callits that are suppose to chase away all mammals and put them up there. The Hav a hart trap is still up there too. I'm going bonkers! We had a pest control company come by but they wanted a fortune plus $100 per squirrel that they caught in traps set outside, duh, I guess they thought because I'm old I'm also stupid! Can you imagine what that bill would have been? And to top off my morning I find Anonymous has once again commented on my posts with info to make me look bad (hey, I only saw 6 horses each time)! Why can't you leave your name? We could talk! You are obviously kin to me and were at the funeral. Oh, well. I have plenty of friends to critic what I do-don't need anymore.

Hope y'all have a great day. I hope to post some freebies soon.

Tootles!

PS: Okay, got another message from Anon. See, I thought I counted correctly (that's a relief, I don't want my brain to stop working), LOL! I really wasn't offended, just cannot understand why you post as Anonymous? If you aren't kin to me you must be interested in the Army or at least the SMA, so let's chat!

Sorry for the delay . . .

I promised to fill you in on Uncle Wilber's funeral. I never thought I'd be one of those old ladies who love to talk about funerals but, seriously guys, this one was amazing. And to make it even more special was that the family had been briefed the day before about the preparations and a new development we knew nothing about! Uncle Wilber's life in the Army and his post as Sergeant Major of the Army and his subsequent death would be documented, filmed, and deposited at the Smithsonian Institute so it could be displayed in an exhibit celebrating him and his position as the first SMA. Though Uncle was technically the second SMA, we were told he was considered as first and therefore the Smithsonian Institute honor! No small feat. We are all humbled by such a great honor but at the same time very proud. Uncle Wilber never really spoke of his accomplishments when he visited us; he was just Dad's younger brother that was fun to be around!

Our day started out very early, 5:30am, because we had to go through a vehicle inspection and identity check before we would be allowed on the base at Ft. Myer. Ft. Myer is one of the military installations that are adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery. Cousin Suzie told us to "be sure and get to the fort early" because it would take some time to get in, find the chapel, and secure a seat. Thanks Suzie! NOT! We left our hotel at 7am and arrived at the Ft. Myer gate at 7:04am! It took us about 3 minutes to get through the inspection and were on our way to the chapel! We then sat for an hour and a half waiting to go into the chapel. This really wasn't a bad thing to happen because we got to see some of the preparations that the Army went through so everything would be perfect for my Uncle Wilber.

We saw the caisson being pulled by six black horses to be delivered to the chapel. There was a marching military band with a compliment of about sixty. There were guards and changing of the guards and activity all around us. When we realized how early we would be, we thought that we would be all alone in the parking lot; didn't happen. People were already there and waiting to go into the chapel! Many of my kin came up from Richmond that morning and were there before us. I saw people I hadn't seen in twenty years or more. There were photographers and cinematographers everywhere you looked. After about an hour, we removed ourselves from the warm car and stood with the rest of the shivering crowd in front of the chapel, waiting on my Aunt Peck and her children. The stretch limo which ferried her the entire four blocks from the nice quarters she was allotted was about a city block long! I have no idea how it maneuvered around those small streets in the fort or even in the cemetery later.

We didn't have to vie for seats in the chapel, as Suzie thought; we were ushered into a "family" room to await the time when we would go, as a family, into the chapel to reserved seats. There were not many of Uncle's contemporaries (he was 85!) but the military was well represented. There were also friends Uncle had made from all over the States.

The Chaplain, William Barefield CH(LTC), opened the service with a prayer and then introduced the current Sergeant Major of the Army, Kenneth Preston. The SMA told us of the many exploits of Uncle from the time he enlisted at age 18 until his death at 85; things I cannot even begin to recount. It seems that Uncle was a favorite among all ages in the Army and was a champion of the enlisted men and women.

During the service, Uncle's flag draped coffin sat in the front of the old chapel alter; it was hard not to go up to it and pay my respects, as this was the first time I had been in his presence in a while. When the service was completed, ten soldiers in dress blues came up and escorted the coffin out to the waiting caisson that was now harnessed to six white horses with three riderless saddles. The marching band struck up and marched in front of the procession all the way to the gravesite, which took about 20 minutes to complete. Uncle’s four children and many grandchildren and great grandchildren walked behind the caisson. There were cameras everywhere. When we reach the place of his interment there was a short graveside service, a 21 gun salute, and the playing of "Taps" by the marching band. I don't think there was a dry eye anywhere around us; it was quite a moving ceremony. On the way back into the fort, there were military men and women lining the streets saluting my Aunt Peck as her limo made its way back.

Once again, I must say, we were honored to be related to him. At the reception, there were many stories told of how he saved a life or made a difference in another's life. My Aunt Peck did him proud. She stood for those hours being gracious and kind to all who wanted to tender their condolences. Such a tiny little woman to have so much strength and strength of character to have been by Uncle's side, and in the Army, for 65 years!

When the reception was over, we all made our way home. I doubt I will ever see most of those kin people again.

The American Flags at all military and government buildings and installations were all flown at half staff all over the United States and the world in SMA George Wilber Dunaway’s honor that March day.

Good Morning!

Good Morning Friends!

It's Saturday morning and I'm finally feeling a little better from the "yuk" I caught while in DC. I want to post about my Uncle Wilber's funeral but am waiting on some names I need. You will not believe what happened! I'll fill you in soon.

Guess what? My beautiful and talented friend, Megan Farrow (aka Flergs), sent me the nicest gift for Easter! She's such a sweetie and I really appreciated being able to get some of her new kits. Yes, I know Megs, you didn't expect me to use the gift certificate on your stuff but I found some that I didn't have! Check these out y'all:

Cherry Blossom Borders:


Cluster Borders:


Nana's Secret Garden:



Aren't these the most beautiful and romantic kits you've ever seen? I love them and don't know how I missed Nana's Secret Garden (I could have sworn that I had all of Megan's kits). Thanks again, Little One, for remembering me!

Well I'm off to pick up the grocery order. I hope to post about Uncle Wilber soon so check back!

Tootles!

My Uncle Wilber

So many have asked about my Uncle Wilber's service to his country that I thought I should post this message from the Pentagon and General George W. Casey:

DTG
0802141629Z
CARLISLE BKS MANUAL USAWC

THIS MESSAGE WAS SENT BY THE PENTAGON TELECOMMUNICATIONS CENTER ON BEHALF OF DA WASHINGTON DC//CSA//

SUBJECT: DEATH OF FORMER SERGEANT MAJOR OF THE ARMY

1. IT IS WITH DEEP REGRET THAT THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY AND I INFORM YOU OF THE DEATH OF SERGEANT MAJOR OF THE ARMY GEORGE WILBER DUNAWAY, UNITED STATES ARMY, RETIRED. HE PASSED AWAY ON 6 FEBRUARY 2008 IN LAS VEGAS, NEVADA.

2. AS A MARK OF RESPECT TO THE MEMORY OF SERGEANT MAJOR GEORGE W. DUNAWAY, THE NATIONAL FLAG WILL BE FLOWN AT HALF-STAFF AT ALL INSTALLATIONS, ACTIVITIES, AND VESSELS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND ITS TERRITORIES AND POSSESSIONS, FROM REVEILLE TO RETREAT ON THE DAY OF INTERMENT 19 MARCH 2008.

3. SERGEANT MAJOR DUNAWAY WAS BORN 24 JULY 1922, IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA. HE SERVED WITH DISTINCTION DURING HIS 30 YEARS IN THE ARMY CULMINATING WITH BEING SWORN IN ON 1 SEPTEMBER 1968 AS THE 2ND SERGEANT MAJOR OF THE ARMY, AND SERVING UNTIL HIS TERM ENDED IN SEPTEMBER 1970. IN HIS OWN WORDS, HIS LIFE AS A SOLDIER WAS ?ABOUT THE SOLDIERS AND IT WAS FOR THE SOLDIERS.? THIS IS EXEMPLIFIED DURING SMA DUNAWAY'S TENURE THROUGH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER EDUCATION SYSTEM (NCOES), A THREE-TIERED SYSTEM THAT TRAINED NCOS IN BASIC, ADVANCED, AND SENIOR COURSES, INSURING SOLDIERS WOULD RECEIVE THE BEST LEADERSHIP POSSIBLE.

4. AFTER ATTENDING THE AIRBORNE COURSE IN AUGUST 1943, SERGEANT MAJOR DUNAWAY REMAINED AT FORT BENNING, GEORGIA AS AN AIRBORNE SCHOOL INSTRUCTOR UNTIL JANUARY 1945 WHEN HE JOINED THE 517TH COMBAT TEAM IN FRANCE AS A PLATOON SERGEANT. HE RETURNED TO FORT BENNING IN DECEMBER 1945 WITH ASSIGNMENT TO THE 501ST PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT WHERE HE SERVED AS FIRST SERGEANT OF COMPANY A. IN MARCH 1948, SERGEANT MAJOR DUNAWAY WAS REASSIGNED TO THE 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION AT FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA. THERE HE BECAME A MEMBER OF THE 505TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT AS OPERATIONS
SERGEANT, ASCENDING TO THE REGIMENTAL SERGEANT MAJOR POSITION IN 1952.

5. IN EARLY 1954 HE TRANSFERRED TO THE 187TH REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM AS THE COMBAT TEAM SERGEANT MAJOR. HE CONTINUED IN THAT POSITION FOR SEVEN YEARS DURING WHICH HE SAW THE AIRBORNE REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM RENAMED AS THE 187TH INFANTRY, WHEN THE 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION WAS REACTIVATED ON 21 SEPTEMBER 1956, AT FORT CAMPBELL, KENTUCKY. DEPARTING FORT CAMPBELL IN 1961, HE TOOK THE REINS OF THE 1ST SPECIAL FORCES GROUP, 1ST SPECIAL FORCES IN UNITED STATES ARMY PACIFIC AND LATER MOVED TO THE 5TH SPECIAL FORCES GROUP IN VIETNAM, WHERE HE REMAINED UNTIL JUNE 1967.

6. RETURNING TO THE UNITED STATES, HE REJOINED THE 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION AS IT PREPARED TO MOVE TO VIETNAM IN THE LARGEST UNIT DEPLOYMENT BY AIR IN THE HISTORY OF THE VIETNAM WAR. SERGEANT MAJOR DUNAWAY ARRIVED IN VIETNAM WITH THE COMMANDING GENERAL'S COMMAND GROUP ON 13 DECEMBER 1967. IN FEBRUARY 1968, HE MOVED TO CAMP EAGLE IN THE I CORPS TACTICAL ZONE WITH THE DIVISION WHERE HE REMAINED UNTIL JULY 1968 WHEN HE WAS SELECTED AS THE 2ND SERGEANT MAJOR OF THE ARMY.

7. SERGEANT MAJOR DUNAWAY'S AWARDS INCLUDE THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL, SILVER STAR, LEGION OF MERIT, THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL (WITH V DEVICE), PURPLE HEART, AIR MEDAL (WITH V DEVICE), ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL (WITH OAK LEAF CLUSTER), GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, WORLD WAR II VICTORY MEDAL, NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL, VIETNAMESE ARMED FORCES HONOR MEDAL (SECOND CLASS), THE VIETNAMESE CROSS OF GALLANTRY (WITH SILVER STAR), REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE WITH STAR.

8. SURVIVING SERGEANT MAJOR DUNAWAY ARE HIS WIFE, MARY DUNAWAY, HIS SON, MICHAEL DUNAWAY, BOTH OF NEVADA; HIS OTHER SON, GEORGE DUNAWAY OF TEXAS; AND HIS DAUGHTERS, MARTHA BARNETT OF MARYLAND AND SUZANNE HUNT OF NORTH CAROLINA.

9. A MEMORIAL SERVICE WILL BE AT 9 A.M. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2008, AT THE FORT MYER POST CHAPEL FOLLOWED BY THE INTERMENT AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY.

10. DECLAS OADR

GEORGE W. CASEY, JR., GEN, USA

Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts.

Another Color Challenge

Hey y'all. Here's my entry for the Stone Accent Studio's March Color Challenge. I made every thing myself with my new Photoshop program. I tried to give both masculine and feminine elements and papers and it's a pretty big file. Blogger isn't cooperating with me today so I can leave you the link to download it but not the photo. If you want to see it prior to download you can go to SAS Forums. Download Link Here

Hope all is well with all of you, I'm still trying to learn PSE CS3!

Tootles!

Another Break!

I'm taking a break from my break! I am sooo tired of the online CS3 tutorials. I decided I needed to do a layout and I did it in PSElements5. Didn't feel up to tackling CS3 for it. I fashioned this entirely with Flergs' new Boys Grab Bag kit with a few minor alterations. It is currently on sale at Scrapbook Graphics, so hurry over and get it (there is a Girls Grab Bag too).

King of my Heart

I promise to make some new Freebies soon but I might just have to do it in Elements. I am going to try with CS3 though. I'm so wound up from watching those videos that I can't sleep; it's 4:41am here! I'm suppose to go to a birthday luncheon around noon-wonder if I'll make it?

Remember I told you about my Uncle Wilber? I forgot to mention that the U. S. Flag has been ordered to fly at half mast, on all government installations on March 19, in his honor. March 19 is when we will have the formal Arlington Cemetery interment.

Hope to be back again soon! Tootles!