Flat Daddy is still going strong in military families!
By elaine | April 15, 2009
Happy Tax Day! Ok, so that’s an oxymoron. How about Happy Wednesday…that’s better. I’m writing this because I have a request that we need to make viral somehow. You know that for the past few years I’ve been a part of working to provide a free Flat Daddy figure into any military home that requests one, and the donations were great. With the economy, things have slowed down all over and the Flat Daddy project is one of them that has been hit. I still have requests for about 6 figures that I’m looking to place, but the big one is the request from a unit in Kentucky that would like 100 of them! How cool would that be? I want to help, which is why I’m blogging this, twittering it and going to sponsor sources to see if they can help. Do you know of a company or organization that might consider this as either a philanthropic project or a marketing idea? I’m pretty sure we can get them publicity. I’d be glad to talk about it. What a wonderful way to say Thank You to 100 military families. I’m all over this project, so please put your networking feelers out to people/companies you do business with and have them call or email me. My office number is 303-430-0592 and email is Elaine@ImAlreadyHome.com. Please write a post in your OWN blog about this request and ask others to pass it along and write about it. Thanks for all your help and I’ll blog about the progress of the project. Have a great rest of the day, and remember to check out the new book The Road Home at my website.
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Great military family connection idea – Hugs and Kisses
By elaine | April 9, 2009
I have the best blog post today. I received a postcard in the mail from Kristin, one of our amazing military moms. When I read it out loud, both my office assistant and I let out a collective “awwww…” because it was so good. You know, I’ve been collecting ideas for over 6 years now and neither of us had ever heard this one before. I’m grateful to Kristin for letting me share it with you, so here it is in her words: “When my husband was deployed our children really had a hard time going to bed at night without his hugs and kisses. I found a large restaurant-style cheese shaker and (my husband) filled it with handwritten X’s and O’s. Every night I would “sprinkle” them with Daddy’s hugs and kisses. They did not literally come out, but the magic of those special X’s and O’s helped them sleep!” Isn’t this just the best? If you have young kids, give it a try. In fact, sprinkle some over yourself. 
I wish I’d had this in time to include in either the “I’m Already Home…Again” or “The Road Home” books. I guess that’s what blogs and newsletters are for! Take care and have a great Easter weekend.
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The Road Home makes its debut
By elaine | March 30, 2009
A friend of mine, Pepper Cory (she’s the quilter who designed the quilt that’s on the cover of the book The Road Home) emailed me and remarked that my blog was sorely out of date. Yes, I did know that! What I didn’t know was WHY! I can’t figure out why I don’t like to blog all that much. Maybe because I don’t think I have much to say at a particular time, or that when I think of something profound to write about I’m in the car or in the shower! Whatever the reason, Pepper’s right. I have to get back to this, so here I am. I’ll try to get back in the loop. First off, the 3rd book in the “I’m Already Home” series just arrived at my door last Thursday and that’s what I want to tell you about. If my tech skills worked, there’s a picture of the cover – and the cool quilt – in this post. If not, the websites are below. It’s all about reunion and reintegraion back from deployment and the adjustments everyone makes to accept their “new normal.” I really hope you like it and will continue to share ideas with me so I can put them in the newsletters for everyone else to learn from. I also had my web guy update the website so you can go there to read some samples. I’m using the same web address as for the other books, and also adding another one that will be active soon. You can go to : www.ImAlreadyHome.com. Later, I’ll be using TheRoadHomeMilitary.com so watch for that too. Ok, that’s about it for this post and getting back into this is like getting back into exercising…it’s going to take time for the habit to take hold again. Have a great week!
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“Read” the National Anthem.
By elaine | July 2, 2008
I want to wish you all a wonderful 4th of July holiday! Friday is so much more than hot dogs and fireworks in all your hearts because the 4th of July is what your families are fighting for. Independence Day is the only holiday that celebrates the United States and the freedoms that were fought so hard for back in the 1700′s. To celebrate it on my own, I took time to look closely at each and every line of our National Anthem and FEEL what those words mean to me. As I visualized the flag still flying after the night of battles, with the bursting bombs creating the fireworks, I had goosebumps. I’m thinking that that’s the way it should be. I encourage you to sit with your kids and “read” them the National Anthem like you would a story, because it’s truly the story of how our nation will continue to be the land of the free, and the home of the brave.
Have a fantastic 4th of July, and thank you all for your sacrifices to keep us free! Many Blessings, Elaine
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Happy Father’s Day, GI Dads
By elaine | June 15, 2008
This is a wonderful day. After Father’s Day, there is only one day I like better and that’s Mother’s Day! Probably because I get to do whatever I want on that day and my son has to mind me. Today, that same thing happens for Dads…and they so deserve it. It makes me sad that so many Dad’s have to miss out on spending this day in the same room as their families, but I know how important and vital it is that they are seeing a mission through that is keeping that same family safe. In today’s USA Weekend magazine that came in the newspaper, there was a great article that shared the stories of some GI Dads and how they stay connected to their kids…and you know that’s what I’m all about! You HAVE to read them, and I’ll tell you to do so with a Kleenex. It will be worth the 15 minutes of your time. Personally, I especially like the one about the red balloon and the one about committment through hardship. To know what I’m talking about, please go to www.militarytimes.com to read these and more stories. And when you’re done, find a GI Dad and say “Happy Father’s Day!”
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Jason Dumler makes history with hole-in-one!
By elaine | May 16, 2008
This is so exciting and I understand that this is what blogs are for! This afternoon my stepson Jason was on the sports news hitting a record setting hole-in-one tee shot at Vista Ridge Golf Course in Erie, Colorado. It just so happened that a news crew was filming a piece about local golf courses and they were at Vista Ridge today. Jason is head golf pro there and he was “showing them the ropes” of the course when he teed up a shot on the 17th hole, a 364 yard par 4. While they were filming, he hit an amazing shot that just sailed toward the hole and the photographer couldn’t find the ball on the green! Jason turns to him and says, “Where did it go?” They all walked to the green and low and behold the ball was in the hole!! It was the first hole-in-one at Vista Ridge and the first one ever on a par 4 for Jason! I was watching the news and just happened to see it. Anyway, I’m excited for him and I get to share this moment with you through video! I have no idea how long a news video link stays active, but if you click HERE, it takes you to the video. Meet Jason and enjoy the video! How cool is that?!
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Step Out…Step Up
By elaine | May 8, 2008
About an hour ago, I came back to the office from participating in an amazing event. It was called “Stepup Wellness Bag Program.” It’s designed to benefit female cancer patients. Step Up Women’s Network is a national non-profit membership organization dedicated to strengthening community resources for woman and girls. I joined about 200 other women today at my local shopping mall to help pack bags full of wonderful donated “comfort” products to be distributed to women battling all forms of cancer. After we packed the bags, there were booths set up to give us massages, makeovers, food, music, etc. It was a blast! I met a couple really interesting women while I was eating.
My sister passed away 7 years ago from lymphoma and I watched a strong amazing woman try to keep everything together while fighting a simple loss of dignity. I wish there had been a program like this for her back then. I think it’s a national effort so if you see it pop up in your area, please take an hour or two to participate. It will change your day – at the very least! I’ll have some photos of the event up on this blog in the next couple of days…just as soon as I learn how to do it! I do know how to put photos up on my website (have someone else do it) so always check www.ImAlreadyHome.com for the latest Flat Daddy photos and newsletters. As always, thank you so much for what you do for each other as caring women. I promise to be better at posting to this blog, so check back.
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7 Everyday Hero Award goes to…Flat Daddy!
By elaine | December 6, 2007
I just wanted to share something really cool that happened this morning. A friend of mine, Kris O’Shea asked if we could go out for lunch today and she would pick me up at 11:00. The bell rang and I opened the door to find Kris, 3 wives (friends) from the Colorado National Guard and a television crew! Mitch Jelniker was the reporter and he presented me with the 7 Everyday Hero award from Channel 7 for the work with the free Flat Daddy project! I’m more honored than I can say and so proud that others thought it such a worthwhile project. I found out that the nomination came from Kris and Judy Sabah and Kris got ahold of my friends from the Guard who made the day just that much more special. They were here interviewing and filming for over an hour and were SO nice. It was a blast and I’ll admit when I first opened the door I’m thinking I won the Publisher’s Clearing House sweepstakes! Â And yes, Kris and I DID go out to lunch after they left.
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Anyway, I wanted to share that with you because I knew you’d all be pleased too. Here are the times (MST) that it will be airing in the Denver market and then will post to the Channel 7 website.
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10pm Sunday, Dec. 9th
5am  Monday, Dec. 10th
11am Thursday, Dec. 13th
4pm  Friday, Dec. 14th
5pm Saturday, Dec. 15th
7am Sunday, Dec. 16th
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I hope you can catch one of the broadcasts. Have a great rest of the week!
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Flat Daddy and cookies in the news
By elaine | November 26, 2007
Happy Thanksgiving…or at least a couple of days past Thanksgiving. I like this holiday because of what it stands for: Giving thanks and finding ways to reach out to others. This time of the year finds many of us looking for ways we can help other people by sharing what means most to us. You know I’ve been involved in the free Flat Daddy project through SFC Graphics in Ohio (where they have given away over 4,000 free Flat Daddies so far this year) and have been honored to be asked to help with a cookie baking project in Ft. Collins, Colorado. The idea behind Flat Daddy was on the news today in North Dakota and you can watch a 30 second video all about it (with pictures) at the KFYRTV news station. I hope it makes you smile. Now for the cookies: Becky Helzer and her family are making 175 dozen cookies to be sent to our Colorado troops over in Iraq. Click here to read a short article about what the Helzer’s are doing and see a picture. I’m so proud of all that everyone is doing. So now is the time for you to think of what you can do in a small way for someone who needs you right in your own neighborhood. Think about it. It doesn’t have to be much. Maybe take a homebound neighbor out to do Christmas shopping. Can you baby sit? Offer to sit so a mom can get out and shop without the kids around. See how easy? Give thanks for all you have by giving of yourself to others…and have a wonderful Christmas season because of it!Â
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This Marine’s behavior startled me!
By elaine | October 8, 2007
On September 11, I attended a remembrance ceremony. At noon, a Marine who had just returned from two tours in Iraq, approached the microphone to address the group of about 50 people. He looked so distinguished in his dress blue uniform. He took out his notes and started his speech. And then it happened: he began to shake. It started with his hands, then slowly took over the rest of his body. It caused his notes to shake and he tried shifting them from hand to hand to somehow calm his nerves…but to no avail. A part of me wished I could just stand next to him and put a calming hand on his arm but of course that would have been inappropriate. He had written a great speech, but was petrified to deliver it in front of others. It seemed so incongruent that this big strong Marine who had fought for over 3 years in Iraq could possibly be sidelined by a speech! It reinforced to me, how many of our fears come when we are thrust into unfamiliar circumstances outside of our zone of comfort. Dress him in his fatigues, give him his rifle and stand him in front of a seven-ton Hummer and he would be right at home – strong and unfailing.Â
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Sometimes, during a deployment, you feel that you’re “out of your element†in everyday life. It’s easy to feel uncomfortable with the situation and with the people around you who want to help but don’t know how. Remember that it’s only temporary, and call on the places from which you get your inner strength. Let that strength always tell you how powerful you are and let it remind you not to give into the little fears that creep up. Always picture yourself in your element…where you are your best…and let that feeling take over when you need it to. You’re an amazing person and I know you’ll do great! P.S. Don’t forget to check out www.ImAlreadyHome.com to learn about the free Flat Daddy program.Â
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