text: Reporter Marty Touchette of the Daily Review Atlas in Monmouth, Ill. writes that 120 pounds of dog biscuits will be sent to military and civilian dogs serving in Afghanistan thanks to a local VFW.
  The dogs help guard bases and encampments, search for explosives, guard prisoners and perform many other vital functions.
  Marty reports, "In addition, there are strays that live near the bases that occasionally get a treat. They also help perform a service for the troops by keeping vermin down in and near the bases."
  "But most importantly, all of these four-legged friends serve as additional early warning systems to protect the troops against enemies. It can be hard to sneak up on one dog, but it’s even harder to sneak up on two — stray dogs barking in the distance can provide an early warning," according to Marty.
  Many of the soldiers also are comforted by the dogs and find their loneliness eased a bit by their companionship.
  It was Jim Zeilstra (currently deployed as a chief warrant officer in Afghanistan) who informed his wife, Lyn, of the need for treats. The collection effort was then spearheaded by Nancy Lovett, VFW Auxiliary senior vice president, who collected the treats. The auxiliary, along with the local Postmaster Annette Manthei and Lyn Zeilstra prepared them for shipment.
  Join us as we gather together once again for our ever-popular Make It & Take It evening!at this Winter StampFest Convention class event!
  This event is very popular and sells out quickly, so sign up early. Space is limited to only 100 people!
  It was one of the best make and evenings I've had in a long time. Thanks for getting such a good variety of vendors together one complimented the other from the glues to the paper used. everyone had something different to offer
  Sorry this post is so late. I have been gone most of the day. I had a morning call from a friend asking me to help her with a stamping party. “Paper and Ink? Heck yeah, I’m there.” This evening I had a meeting and then dinner with friends. It’s so nice to spend time with people who know all your warts and love you anyway.
  Scooter couldn't help me with the giveaway. As you can see from his photo, he was exhausted from his haircut. I went with a random number generator that I found online. I didn’t remember to copy the image so you’ll just have to take my word for it that the drawing was on the up and up.
  The winner is Cheryl L. Congratulations, Cheryl. Please email me with your address and I'll sent your stencil along.
  I want to thank all of you who participated and took part in the celebration of My first published piece. I was so excited about it and it means a lot to me that you took time to stop
  by my blog and comment. I would never have dreamed three years ago that I’d have a blog that has been visited over 30,000 times. It also never occurred to me when I started art journaling that one of my pages would be published in a book.
  Here are my thoughts on the publishing thing….. Do what you love. Create art that makes you happy. Use color, paper, paint and texture that speak to you. The important part is that you enjoy yourself as you are creating. If someone along the way likes it enough to publish it, then that is icing on the cake. You've already had the joy of being one with your art and it is just gravy that someone else likes it too.
  In the past, I've tried to make a pieces because I thought they were something a magazine might like. Those pieces never made me happy. I didn't enjoy the process of making them and they were never quite right. The page that was chosen for the book was a page I did just because I wanted to play in my journal. That was the only motive behind that page. The funny part is that I didn't think it was the best of the pages that I submitted. Appreciation of art of very subjective. It's all in the eye of the beholder.
  I am very happy that the editor liked my page enough to include it in the book. It is wonderful for my peers to like my work. I love it that all you visit my blog and like my work and take the time to read my words. The art as well as the words come from my heart...that place inside me that wants to jump for joy at the thought of getting my fingers into the paint and glue. The kid inside me is the artist. She is in full play mode every time I pick up a paint brush in my studio. I hope you enjoy your time in your studio as much as I do. What a wonderful gift God has given to me. The ability to express myself with bits of paper and colorful paint.
  The kid inside me likes the kid inside you and says "Hi!". Congrats again on being published and congrats to Cheryl L for the blog candy.
  We believe that the strong labor report in October sets the stage for the first rate hike in over a decade next month.