Heads at Ease pillowcase project - our motto is: ALL OR NONE

There is a new thread posted for the USS Mobile take a look and see whats up..

Wave 3 for the marines is going on this week.  please remember to post your photos and let me know when you have mailed.

A new ship!  yoohoo!

got this today from Garry, the guy who asked for mail for his friends:

Hello Mrs. Lamberson,

God bless you! My address is the same as both Dennis and Terry, mail call comes to our section since we have no real physical address. 

We had a wonderful 9/11 ceremony in Kabul, Afghanistan yesterday. For me some old wounds never heal, I am from NJ and was there looking over at the skyline when it all unfolded. It's hard to believe it's been over a decade, since that despicable act occurred.

I started saving news paper clippings from my time here in Kabul, so when I am a grandfather my family would remember the sacrifices of our fallen comrades. It's not just US service members here, but personnel from over 30 different nations supporting operations as well. As a kid I took a class trip to the United Nations, it’s the same here except military personnel.

I feel bless to work with so many nations...allows our planet to be a tad bit closer. In our section we have Marines, Sailors, Air Force, Her Majesty Royal Commando's (England) Germans and of course the Aussies (Australia) both men and women. Let's just say the Olympic games coverage last two months ago were very interesting. Our coalition forces are the most professional people to work with. 

Thank you,

Garry 

here's another one.  We are doing good things ladies:

Hi Sue!  Thank you so much for the email!  My deployment is going well, actually xxx more days until I go home, which I'm looking forward to.  I know my wife and children are more excited than I am :).  The pillowcases you have been sending has been overwhelming.  You cannot believe how many people enjoy them.  They're actually asking when more will be coming in, so you are definitely making a lasting impression here, even after we leave.

Tell your son thank you for his service.  As a CMSgt in the Air Force, I know the sacrifices families make when their husbands, wives, sons, and daughters are deployed and those left behind sometimes bear a heavier burden and I, as well as many others, appreciate your sacrifices and we salute you for your continued support. 

Please pass on my thanks to all who have and will continue to contribute to this fantastic endeavor you're taking on, we really cherish it.

You can continue to send the pillowcases to me at the address that Rose has and when I know and exact date I'm re-deploying, I will pass on the name of the person you can send future shipments to. 

Thanks again for all you do Sue, continue to keep us smiling out here.  God Bless!

Sincerely,
Tom M, CMSgt, USAF

Trouble, Please let ME know that the package for the army unit went out in the mail on Friday. Thanks!

they are busy sewing I  hope!   or just too busy period (like me).  

glad ME;s move went well.   We've been quiet, but we've been busy.

NEW numbers!

Hi all,

hope you are all good.   Reminder that we will begin shipping to the new ship on 10-1.   Terri B and Terry-aaron's mom- are either of you able to mail to this group?

Check it out.  

Hi All, Well we got moved to the new place but have had a few problems with the internet and phone. We finally got the internet up and running but still fighting with ATT to get the phone line working. The number has changed and I will give it to you all when I know we are up and running. The new place is nice and quiet and we have plenty of room. It is nice to sit out on the patio without getting wet from the rain or bitten by misquitos. Teddy and I have been unpacking and putting things away since Saturday and it is starting to look like home. My sewing room is about 80% complete and I will be sewing again by next week.

I want to share this picture with you all, one of my cats has found out if he jumps from the counter he can hide on top on the cabinets.

love the cat photo ME!   I've had several black cats in my life.  They do like to be up high.  glad you are getting settled!

Terry, it is the USS Mobile Bay (CG53), 3rd from the bottom of the discussion

which of course, I call "threads"-we are sewing after all.  I do like puns. 

I knew you had 16, so 20 or 25 would be great.  There are 2 waves, check it out.

I fell down again last night about 10 minutes before I got off!  I tripped on the walkway-there is much erosion along the edge and flew across it.  I hit my left knee hard-again- and hit my face on a large rock as I went down.

My glasses flew off and I hit my nose, lip and chin.  My co-worker and a child were outside too and they saw me hit the rock.

I had a really huge swollen lip but that is better today.  Pretty achy though.

YIKES!  

Sue, Are we going to have to lock you in a glass bubble...? With a sewing machine of course!

Well said Phoebe!  I wonder that myself.  I get so mad at myself when I fall.

Yes, a machine, some yarn and pillowcases so I can keep packing haha.

Heaven will be a fabric store...Hell will be a fabric store without needle and tread...! LOL

good analogy Phoebe!

Ladies, We are in need of 121 For the Mobile Bay, If you can send some please let me know. The time is drawing near to start shipping and we need to get them done. We have other projects coming up and need to finish this before we can start more. Please email me at mepeller@bellsouth.net

Ladies, I am in need of Branch specific material for doing command and fallen pillowcase. If anyone has any or would like to donate some please email me and I will give you my address. mepeller@bellsouth.net. I need all branches of service.

Mornin' all!  I have 4 wonderful days off and I am blessed.  Still woke up at 5 am, as that's when I am used to getting up, but no worries.  I always have something to do, like check in here.  I am going to post some new numbers.  

Mailed 130 this week to an army unit.  Contact came thru the CW article.  That keeps clicking away.  179 have come from that so far,  AWESOME!

ME, I have some Marines and Navy-both the seal type that will need to be pieced.  Like in my profile photo.  Interested?

Ladies I just posted a new thread, it is the USS Decatur go check it out and please let Sue or I know what you can do.

Mornin' ladies!  I fell down again yesterday.  I am very discouraged by this-that makes 3 falls in 3 months at school.  I have been playing phone tag with my doc, but have an appt today to call and see what he wants me to do.

Got this from Shirley from the guys that weren't getting mail.  If you would like to send a card to them please let me know:

Dear (Mom) Shirley, 
> 
>I was totally surprised and very thankful for the care package you sent 
>in the mail. Really, did not expect something this wonderful in the mail 
>especially all that has happened in the recent days here in Afghanistan. 
> 
>The Today Show "Lester Holt" is here talking to Soldiers, Marines, 
>Sailors, and Airmen about our death rate reaching 2000 as of September 
>30, 2012. It not a good feeling to lose a comrade, a friend and a 
>service member you shared breakfast, lunch or dinner with. A small piece 
>of you is chipped away at the thought of it...we pause weekly to honor 
>them and are forced to "SOLDIER ON" but we have a job to do and if it 
>means defending OUR nation then it's a sacrifice we are willing to make 
>for you all back home. We are up to the CHALLENGE. 
> 
>The box had so many wonderful items in it that I so desperately needed, 
>but put off to order online. I shared a lot of the goodies with two of 
>my good friends and Soldiers Terry and Dennis I work with on a day to 
>day basis. 
>  
>Typical day: 
> We are surrounded by mountains, and at night we get a lot of dust 
>storms. The moon is very bright and the wind blows very hard kick up the 
>dust. The air quality is very bad often times you have to wear a scarf 
>over your face, just last night I had a nosebleed, something that I 
>haven't experience since I was a kid. 
> 
>My day begins at 0630hrs and usually ends at 2200hrs (10pm) I usually go 
>to the gym at night to stay fit. Once in a while in the dining hall we 
>get a treat, such as seafood or steak, which is really nice. At night I 
>pray then go to bed thinking of my family. During the day we work long 
>and hard, which could involve driving or flying via helicopter...often 
>times the roads are a bit dangerous. I never tell my family so they will 
>not worry. 
> 
>Again, thank you...and God bless. 
> 
>v/r 
>Garry 

Mornin' ladies.  I woke up feeling much better today although I am still banged up.

I am going to see my doc on Thursday to see if there is more going on than just

being too busy at work, not leaving enough time for travel (a problem in my life) and always thinking that I can do "just 1 more thing".  haha

Prayer is welcome.  Ray is going to drive me today for my deliveries.  It's nice having a driver. 

Wave 1 of the USS Mobile Bay is complete and I have updated the numbers.

Have an awesome weekend!  We are in the 90's - fall weather here!

Good morning ladies. My youngest child, a daughter, will PIR in 10 days :-) She is fresh out of JROTC and high school and I am friends still with the JROTC people. They have 4 drill competitions this year, the first one to happen in December. I came across your group while surfing N4M and you are JUST what I was looking for! So now I'm thinking that I will go to the drill competitions and ask for people to sew pillowcases! Does that sound reasonable? Let me know if I'm out of line, but I'm thinking it might be a good way to involve the community.

GFTatter, Glad you could join us here and yes we can use all the help we can get. If you would like you can email me at mepeller@bellsouth.net. We can use help with sewing, money for shipping and material. I am Sue's righ hand gal (as she puts it) and I will be more than happy to send you all the information and answer any questions you may have. Again Welcome Aboard

Mornin' all!  I can't believe that I haven't checked in since 10-6!   I have been too busy for my own good.  I did add in some new numbers this morning as me and 3 others mailed to an army group last week.

a reminder that we are mailing the 2nd wave to the USS Mobile Bay this week.

I did see the doc last week and got my blood work back yesterday.  All is well.

So the basic problem is my rushing which makes me not pay attention to my surroundings and the crumbling, cracked walkway.

I was so concerned about MS but not the case and I am thanking the Lord for His grace and mercy on this.  Doc suggested that I see a counselor for help to de-stress and de-rush my life, but I said that I was 60, I should be able to figure this out.  I do have to stop and think before acting and that is okay.  I want to stay on my feet!

Welcome to GF Tatter!  A new sailor in the family and she has a Marine daughter as well!  Congrats.  By all means, ask the people to sew.  As long as we have deployed troops, we need the pcs.  You are in good hands with Maryellen, so ask away.

Good morning! Sue I am so relieved it is not MS! I was worried about that.

I am hoping for the I'm A Sailor call today :-) I will get more info and try to mobilize the JROTC families to make pillowcases or give me fabric to do so! This sounds amazing :-)

Looking forward to helping out.

Yes, GFTatter!  thank you!   Did you get your Sailor call yet?

New numbers up as the USS Mobile Bay is finished.   And the USS Decatur began today.

hi ladies.  Check out the new numbers!  over 5,000 this year so far!

great going.

Most of you know that I live just north of Pittsburgh, But what most of you don't know is that I grew up on Long Island, NY. I haven't been able to get in contact with most of the people I grew up with or any of my father's family. But I do know that many of the homes and most of the towns around my Mom's home are no longer there. She passed away in 2008 but that house will always seem like home.

From the Rockaways (Bell Harbor) to the west, to Lindenhurst on the east those lovely old neighborhoods are destroyed. I know that this has nothing to do with what we do here. But, many of my Navy Mom friends are here and so I chose to share the news here. Thank you all for listening.

Well I got the surprise of my life tonight. My Best friend Linda, works for Out Back Steak House and invited us to a Friends and Family night for dinner. As we were waiting for another couple to come we had some munchies and drinks. Well all the sudden Linda comes out of the Kitchen ( shes the kitchen manager) and brings out My Sailor. They had been planning this for 1.5 months and all the staff was in on the surprise. As you can see I was totally in shock when I saw my daughter walk in, I had no idea she was coming and I couldn't talk, Yes I was speech less ( now thats a first) I will have her for 10 days before she drives back to VA.

Lyn praying that you find all is well with your friends & family.

What a nice surprise Maryellen!  Enjoy your time with Dani.

YIKES!  it's been almost a week!  my apologies!   Reminder:  the 2nd wave for the USS Decatur begins on Monday.

Lyn, have you heard from anyone yet?  Ray has lots of family yet in NJ.  Last we heard was Tuesday right before the storm hit, nothing since.  Such destruction!  praying for them.

Maryellen!  AWESOME and great family picture too.  Enjoy her!

Welcome to Julie and Jan!  We are glad to have you join us!

No word yet from NY.

I'll be sending the pcs to the Decatur on Wednesday. Is that OK.

Lyn, I sent you an email.

this young man said that I could post his photo:

Lyn, You are in my prayers and I hope that you hear from your family soon. If you need anything you have my number. We Love you Lady..

Lyn, my prayers go out to you and your family.  It will be a long time before the area recovers and nothing can replace the loss of photos and other special items.

I am home sick for the 3rd day in a row with an acute upper respiratory infection.  It all started with fatigue and I really thought that I had beat it, but it caught on Saturday.  Waiting on the results of strep.

Lyn, have you heard from your family?  We got a long email from one of Ray's couisin in NJ and he said that the Jersey shore is no more.  So much wreckage, but all the family seems to have come thru fine.

Terry, how wonderful for you to see the Enterprise come in!   And to see your son in his dress blues gives me the shivers at the joy you must feel!  So happy he got to go right home to wife and daughter!

okay, now I am bawling after watching the news clip!   Such a beautiful family!

thanks for sharing Terry!

Happy Veteran's Day to all of our wonderful veterans!

Welcome to BobbysMOM!  So glad that you have joined us.

I am finally on the mend.  I was home sick all week from work.  I am still coughing but sore throat is gone and voice is somewhat back.  Still am weak and shaky, but have been able to get some sleep and eat since Friday night, so

that should help.

Have an awesome day!

Welcome to scrappingmomma!  We are glad to have you join us.

I am much better, but pretty worn out.  Trying to take it slow and easy at work this week.  I know the photo is upside down, but can't get it turned.

New numbers posted!  Over 25,000-Awesome.

New Air Force group just posted.

mailed some pcs today to an Air Force unit.  A kinder's dad is in it.  I brought in pcs and let them choose 1 from them and they colored a picture to go inside each one.

Thank you Maryellen for fixing my photo for me!

Sue, I know that we are head over heels for our military but I just couldn't let the kids or you fall and hurt your heads HA HA HA

not a problem it is my pleasure to help where I can.

Welcome Aboard to all the newbies, we are glad your here..

Happy Thanksgiving to all!  I hope you had a great day!

I got to stay home day and cook my favorite meal!  I love to cook a turkey-gives me great pleasure to do so.  I also made our usual 3 pies:  pumpkin for Ray, chocolate cream for Ben and oatmeal for me.  Of course, I had to sample all 3

to make sure that I made them right haha.

I have updated the Air Force unit thread and I am  happy to say, that we will be mailing all 360 this coming week!

Hi ladies,

how you are all rested after Thanksgiving!    A reminder that we are mailing to the Air Force unit this week.  I have mine packed, but I like to mail last.

Thanks!

New numbers posted!  Awesome job ladies!  And Happy December-the year has flown by!

Theresa, that is wonderful that our sailors did that!  thank you for posting that wonderful article.

Hi ladies, hope all is well.  I have been coordinating a quick group of 200 this week for soldiers in the remote areas of the sandbox.  

Looking ahead-still have the possiblity of an army group before Christmas, but time is slipping away.  In Feb or March, we will be doing a AF unit deploying from my sister's church.

We got really cold in southern AZ yesterday-just in the 50's and believe, that is cold for us!  in the 20's at night so plants have to be covered.

Have an awesome day!

Mornin' all.  

What a sad event on Friday in CT and I am sure that you all are joining me in prayer for these families and for the survivors.  I can only imagine the terror that the students and adults felt and are still feeling.

On a positive note about school children, here is a photo from the dad of the kinder whose unit received pcs from HAE.  I love this!

Welcome to new member farmerjo!