RED Online Auction on Face Book! Wings for Our Troops

 There is an online auction on After Glow Beads http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150619305953217.411902.314762198216&type=1 taking place right now!  You can check out the photo album with the link and look at all the amazing pieces that have been donated for this worthy cause.  Proceeds go Wings for Our Troops so get out there and do some bidding and lets send some Marines home for pre or post deployment.   Tammy with After Glow Beads along with Ally at Daisy & Elm Jewelry and Rosaries as well as all those that have donated pieces like Underground Vintage Studio, The Pink Martini Boutique, Boomer’s Charms and Gifts, and so many more I cannot name them all.  Check them all out on Face Book at After Glow Beads.  You will be amazed at all the items that are up for auction and they are all handmade as well as one of a kind which makes them even more special.  I can’t wait to see the results once the bidding is closed!  It should be so much fun so get ready, set, and GO! 

Thank you in advance to all that donated pieces to be auctioned, but a special thanks goes out to Tammy Felker Slocum at After Glow Beads and Allyson Miller at Daisy and Elm Jewelry and Rosaries for all their hard work in putting this together.  I don’t know a lot about how all this works, but if you visit their Face Book pages you will be able to find all the details and get a sneak peak at all the amazing pieces that will be offered during the auction.   I can’t express our gratitude enough.
 Checks can go to the store at 3816 Shelbyville Road Louisville, KY 40207 or you can call the store and pay over the phone at 502-893-6060.

 tammyturtle72@yahoo.com or afterglowbeads@yahoo.com

1st Birthday Party Success!

We had such a good time at little Nora Cate's first birthday party.  Ashton and "Donut" did such a great job, but honestly, I've never seen someone go above and beyond like this couple did to do something for others when they could have just had a "normal" 1st birthday party for their first born.  They had 3 tables set up.  The first one was "Wishes for Nora Cate".  They had pre-printed cards with questions and you just put the answers (i.e. Always respect_____; Never forget to_____ and so on).  It was great (how smart and creative).  They also had her little cake and the big birthday cake there.  Then the next table was set up with pictures and for gifts (for those of us that disobeyed the request) and the third table was set up for Wings for Our Troops (http://www.wingsforourtroops.com/) with a box for donations, a bowl with bracelets, and the brochures.  It was so great.  With their help and everyone that participated, Wings for Our Troops raised close to $1,000.00!  Tebo thinks we need to do more birthday parties.  LOL! 
Thank you Donut and Ashton and especially little Nora Cate for being so giving and caring and helping us with our cause.  I know Chad was truly smiling down on ya'll and very proud!

Here are some pictures from our day with them...  Enjoy!

Proud parents with Nora

It's my birthday...

Oh my goodness, I can do this?

Yummo!

Yeah me!

The Littlest "Nut"

Chad has a group of friends he went to school with and their groups' nickname is the "Nuts".  Well, one of the "Nuts" and his wife, Ashton had a little "Nut" named Nora (isn't that just the most delicious little name)?  Well, she is turning 1 year old this weekend and they have done one of the most amazing things (in my opinion).  You know that children don't remember their 1st birthday and in Chad's case he could have cared less about his 1st birthday.  In fact if it weren't for pictures and me telling him that he didn't even like cake then he wouldn't even know he had a 1st birthday.  Well, I'm sure that was a big motivation for Jason (aka Donut) and Ashton to decide that for Nora's 1st birthday they sent out the most precious birthday party invitations and stated "in lieu of birthday gifts we ask that you bring a donation for Wings for Our Troops".  Awe... I tear up every time I think about them doing this selfless act.  We will most definitely be celebrating this 1st birthday with them and looking forward to seeing all the "Nuts", but more importantly to me, I want to celebrate these amazing parents and friends that think about others more than themselves or receiving gifts for Nora who won't even remember or probably not have a clue what it's all for. 

Is this not just the cutest?

Little Nora... what a doll!

Part of her invitation...

Exciting stuff going on!

We are really getting some things going for Wings for Our Troops!  We have a jewelry and/or handmade items having an online auction beginning at 12:01 AM, Wednesday February 29th to benefit WFOT hosted by http://afterglowbeads.com/ and http://magnoliasandmimosas.blogspot.com/2012/02/champagne-friday-shameless-self.html with so many others donating their goods.  Check out the links for more information and links to some fabulous gift ideas either for yourself or someone you love.  We did have a baseball tournament scheduled for the weekend of February 25th, but due to weather concerns we didn't have enough teams to sign up so it's been canceled for this year, but plans are already in place to make sure it happens next year.  It should be a fun time had by all.  Next weekend, February 25th is still going to be a wonderful day with donations coming in for WFOT.  One of Chad's buddies from school (one of the NUTS) has a daughter turning 1.  They have decided instead of gifts for her they want people to bring a donation for Wings for Our Troops.  How sweet and thoughtful is that?  We know most 1 year old kids don't even remember this birthday let alone realize what gifts are or what they will do with them, but this is something that will live on forever and help so many people and what an example her parents are showing this sweet little girl while they honor a very close and dear friend, my son.  Ashton and Jason "Donut" Necessary are definitely paying it forward and honoring Chad and I couldn't be more proud to call them my bonus kids.  I will have tons of pictures and updates after next Saturday.  I promise.
In addition, this week, WFOT received the largest single donation from an individual that works with us at Tyson Foods and it was enough that it could potentially purchase close to 5 airline tickets!  What a blessing.  Thank you so much to this very giving family.  Also, it's worth mentioning that they are huge TN Vols fans!  I wouldn't expect anything less from a TN fan.  :)
We have a chicken cook with Whitey and his team in Rogers on June 16th in front of the Harp's off 2nd street so come out and buy some amazing chicken and all proceeds go to WFOT.  Things are just rocking and rolling and I'm anxiously awaiting to purchase that next ticket. 

Ceremony for Chad Coming this weekend

This Saturday, Feb. 11th at 2:00 PM there will be a special ceremony for Chad at the Veteran's Home in Fayetteville, AR.  The sweetest lady, Inaline Skelton, has arranged this.  She does ceremonies like this for every AR fallen soldier to honor them and make sure we never forget.  If you happen to be in town Saturday and would like to attend you are more than welcome to do so. 
It will be about an hour or so long and 3 of Chad's marine buddies will be there along with nearly all the "NUTS" that went to school with Chad.
As hard as I know it will be, it will be an honor to see this tribute.  It's my hope that his friends will share things about Chad while we are there and just talk about what he means to them. 

Should you be able to attend you should arrive no later than 1:50 PM Saturday and here are the directions to get there:

If you are traveling South on college (71B) turn right on North St.  The immediate drive looks like it will take you to the underground parking, but rather than going to the covered parking take another immediate right and it will actually take you to the top parking deck.  You will see UAMS immediately in front of you and you look to the right you will see an addition (red brick) and on that building you will see “Veterans’ Home”.  Go through the double glass doors and there will be a guard there to direct you to the garden where the ceremony will be.  She suggested getting there no less than 10 minutes prior to the ceremony starting, which is at 2:00 pm. 

1125 N. College Ave

Fayetteville, AR 72703

(479) 444-7001