... and the stockings were packed by the chimney with care.

I'm sorry for not posting earlier this week the final report on this year's Operation Holiday Stocking project. Work was a nightmare this past week, and my allergies are driving me crazy. I can't quit sneezing. It's damp here, and warm, so the mold spores are busting out all over. When you are allergic to molds, it becomes an issue. Bear with me on this. Benadryl is the only medication that helps and makes me groggy (trust me on this, I just proof read this posting and oops!).



We had our big stocking stuffing party on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. We started out with this table full of stockings. We had a good crowd come to help and we had the usual production line going.
A.J. took his appropriate spot to supervise the whole thing.

Lt. Frank was delighted with a stocking that was decorated by a 17 year old who is planning to join the Army next year. I promised the young man's mother I wouldn't provide any additional detail other than that.

Here's Katie, one of the original committee of five when we started this project. She's a dear friend and always there to help.

Susan and Chiya were there as well again.

This is a nice picture of Benny the Beaver, Mascot of Oregon State University.

Cynthia again provided us with a lovely dinner and it was a good day. On Sunday David and I started the process of sorting, counting, and packing up the boxes for shipment. I included a letter to the recipient, a write up on the story behind this project of love and support, and a full list of contributors and supporters. I checked, and double checked the number of stockings going to each group, and the addresses. David completed the Customs forms and sealed up the boxes for shipment.

David got them off on Monday and Tuesday. Our local post office loves this and have been really helpful each year.

We sent out stockings to 1050 soldiers in 19 units. We gathered together over 1300 stockings, so we will have some for next year (and yes, I'm afraid, there will be OHS 2009). We collected $1700.00. $675 was used for stocking stuffers, and $780 was used for postage. I'm checking on another unit to see if they need stockings since we still have postage money.


There truly isn't an appropriate way to say THANKS to everyone who pitched in to help on this project. Sandra and Deb, thanks for organizing everything at work. You two are awesome. Katie, thanks again for coordinating and collecting from your co-workers and friends. Thanks to the service groups, sororities and Girl Scout troops. Thanks to every individual knitter, crocheter, sewstress, and decorator for getting the stockings done and to us. Thanks to Susan B and Susan M and the entire Eastside Knitting Guild for WOW. A special thanks to David, Frank and John. I love you three with all my heart, and your overwhelming support on this project is so appreciated. Thanks again to Cynthia for feeding the stocking stuffers, and thanks to all of you who again gathered to stuff stockings, both at work and at our home. What started out as a bit of a discouraging project this summer, became one of true miracles and love. Thank you all on behalf of each and every soldier who will be receiving a stocking.

Here is the list of contributors and donors this year.

OPERATION HOLIDAY STOCKINGS 2008

Sharon of Seattle, Washington
Angela and Soraya of Tacoma, Washington
Eric of Seattle, Washington
Jenn of North Bend, Washington
Marchand of Seattle, Washington
Marina of Bremerton, Washington
Susan B. of Bellevue, Washington
Bob of Seattle, Washington
Glenna of San Antonio, Texas
Linda and Jim of Seattle, Washington
Cynthia of Bellevue, Washington
Bethany of Seattle, Washington
Heather of Molalla, Oregon
Eastside Knitting Guild of Bellevue, Washington
Priscilla of Redmond, Washington
Elaine of Seattle, Washington
Deb of Seattle, Washington
Girl Scout Troop 8411 of Seattle, Washington
Sam of Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Maryann of South Milwaukie, Wisconsin
Nancy of Corvallis, Oregon
Kristie of Seattle, Washington
Jason of Seattle, Washington
Cassy of Shoreline, Washington
Devon of Shoreline, Washington
Sandra of Shoreline, Washington
Dr. Johnson of Bellevue, Washington
Kim of Seattle, Washington
Kappa Alpha Theta, Delta Iota Chapter of Tacoma, Washington
Kari & Mike of Bellevue, Washington
Lindalea of Bellevue, Washington
Steve of Seattle, Washington
Barbara of Bothell, Washington
Marlys of Seattle, Washington
Linda of Edmonds, Washington
Diana of Lyle, Washington
Sue M. of Lakewood, Colorado
Bonnie of Sequim, Washington
Susan M. of Bellevue, Washington
Gordon and Carolyn of Seattle, Washington
Melinda of Grass Valley, California
Arlayne of Seattle, Washington
Emily of Seattle, Washington
Lisa of Seattle, Washington
Deb of Shoreline, Washington
Kathy of Seattle, Washington
Sue P. of Seattle, Washington
Mel of Federal Way, Washington
Dana of Woodinville, Washington
Lake Union Hair Salon of Seattle, Washington
Preceptor Alpha Nu of Beta Sigma Phi of The Dalles, Oregon
Rosemary of Kirkland, Washington
Dave of Portland, Oregon
John of Portland, Oregon
David of Bellevue, Washington
Sue R. of Bellevue, Washington
Red Apple Market of Bellevue, Washington
Bartell’s Drug of Bellevue, Washington
Nadine of Seattle, Washington
Ricardo’s Family Restaurant of Bellevue, Washington
Ginny of Hazelhurst, Wisconsin
Katie of Seattle, Washington
Rene of Seattle, Washington
Cathi of Seattle, Washington
Peggy of Des Moines, Washington
LouAnn of The Dalles, Oregon
Sue and Jim of Sherwood, Oregon
Nancy of Seattle, Washington
Ann of Seattle, Washington
Diana of Medina, Washington
Honora of Seattle, Washington
Chiya of Clyde Hill, Washington
Becki of Tacoma, Washington
Deb W. of Bellevue, Washington
Lindsey of Seattle, Washington
Gillian of Edmonds, Washington
Beth of Edmonds, Washington
Melange’s of Seattle, Washington
Kona Bay Yarns of Seattle, Washington


Well, off to have another sneezing fit, and then help get ready for the next project.
Thanks to all of you!!!!! I really am a blessed woman.

TTFN

Sue

So Much to Be Thankful For

Yesterday was a day full of blessings and thanks. It was a time of family and dear friends, good food and warm gatherings. In all, yesterday was a day to reflect on everything we are thankful for. Our family, our friends, health, good jobs, plenty of food, warm shelter, and our faith. And ...


A dining room table covered with stockings for Operation Holiday Stockings 2008. It has taken the past couple of days to sort through the stockings and items for the stockings but here they are ...
There are about 1200 on this table.

They are piled up high.

Becki and her friends and famiy decorate these stockings. I hope you can see the messages on the stockings which say "come home soon," "we miss you," "we love you," and "thank you."

Glenna, Mary Ann and May, all of Small Paws Rescue, knit these stockings for OHS.

Nadine continued sewing stockings for OHS. She wanted to make sure we had enough for our troops.

Emily was again busy crocheting stockings and sent these home with me.
Emily is another co-worker, and big supporter.

Emily's mom, Arlayne sewed these beautiful stockings for OHS. These are classics. Rumor has it Arlayne is a professional seamstress.

Sue knit more stockings and then brought out the sewing machine. We are sending a box of stockings to her son this year.

Angela and Soraya gathered up a group of family and friends and they decorated this beautiful bunch, again with dear messages for the troops.

Melinda sent another 50 sewn stockings. I had to leave them in the nice bundle she puts them in for mailing. Love it.

Girl Scout Troop 8411 in Seattle decorated these for our project and they are so dear.

Elaine continues to crochet. We are fondly calling her the "mad crocheter."

Nancy, from another law firm in our building, knit these up for us. Look at the "ho ho ho." Cute.

Then there is this pile of knit stockings from the Eastside Knitting Guild. I wasn't able to go on Monday so Toni took this picture with her cell phone and sent it to me. Susan went to the meeting and said that the knitters were knitting stockings and when they were done tossing them on this pile. There are 264 stockings in this pile, and in total the ESKG knit up 384 stockings. WOW!!!

Tomorrow is the stocking stuffing party, with Cynthia again providing her famous spaghetti dinner.

Today we are heading over to Edgar's Acres so Frank and John can see the new house, and so I can visit A Dropped Stitch for some yarn for Christmas gifts.

TTFN

Sue

The Latest on OHS 2008

We are heading to the end of this wonderful project for 2008. We have 965 soldiers at this count for whom we will be sending stockings to. So far we have gathered together 925 stockings with more coming in so that is covered (WOO HOO!!!!). We have received $1143 in donations so I think postage will be covered, but we may need to use some of the cash for more stuff to put into the stockings. We won't know that until the stocking stuffing party on the 29th.Ricardo from Ricardo's Terero Restaurant again donated mints for the project. These are chocolate mints and really, really good.

Elaine has been crocheting and sent in these beautiful stockings!

Nadine continues to be sewing up a storm making more stockings for us.

Cathi too continues to keep her sewing machine busy. Both ladies have told me to let them know if they need to sew some more. What wonderful ladies. Both have had a son deployed in Iraq, and are so grateful to have them him safe.

Even as crappy as I feel today (as of 3:58 a.m. yesterday, I've been sick with the bug, so much for a day off from work), I am full of the love and support from everyone who is participating in Operation Holiday Stockings 2008.

Well, I think I will go knit something really simple today. I think that is all my head can handle.

TTFN

Sue

The Stockings Keep Coming In!

The table is filling up, and this doesn't include the 400+ stockings done last Friday, and in bags waiting to be shipped. Sandra and her family decorated this beautiful group of stockings.

Debbie and her kids decorated some too, and they are so cute, and will be a big hit!

Diana M. sent these beautiful stockings this year. She would have knit more but her newest rescue pup thinks she should be holding him whenever she has a chance to sit.

My cousin Sam was busy again this year. Here are the darling stockings she crocheted for OHS.

The ladies of the service sorority Preceptor Alpha Nu of Beta Sigma Phi made these stockings and stuffed them. They also sent a LOT of beef jerky to send in each box.

Susan B. was busy knitting this year, and of course, added her personal touch to knit these beautiful stockings.

Lindalea of the ESKG knit these beauties for OHS.

I have received more and will post pictures later this week.

So far we have 860 stockings, and $1065.00 for postage and goodies. Right now we have a list of 888 soldiers, and I got a message from Fort Lewis asking if we can add some more smaller units. The answer, of course, will be yes. I'll let you all know how many when I find out. We have enough candy canes, but still need lip balm and personal care items.

The big stocking stuffing party will be on the 29th and then the packing and shipping begins.

Well, off to knit some more stockings. Thanks again to ALL of you who are participating this year. Our soldiers appreciate it.

TTFN

Sue

Update on OHS 2008 and Everything Else that's Going on Right Now

What a Week! The best part of this week was Friday. Deb and Sandra put together a stocking stuffing party for Operation Holiday Stockings 2008. It was held at work, and what a turn out. We started the day with opening up boxes and sacks full of stockings and items to go into the stockings.


This table full of stockings was done by a friend of Sandra's that has become a wonderful work horse for OHS 2008. Unfortunately I don't have her name right now but will follow up on that so we can say THANK YOU. She has been contacting various hotels downtown and sent a huge box of lotions from the Mayflower Park Hotel.
Barb and her grandsons got started on decorate some stockings for OHS 2008.

Ann knit up these beautiful stockings for us.

Cathi continues to knit and now is sewing up felt stockings for OHS 2008.

Melinda sent her package of stockings to me at work so we had those to include for the stuffing party. She is again working overtime on the sewing machine to send us these beautiful stockings!

At noon on Friday 14 women gathered in the conference room and started stuffing these stockings.

What a crew!!!! In 30 minutes they stuffed 440 stockings. THANK YOU!!!

Aren't these women beautiful? Look at the love and joy. I love each and everyone of them. Deb and Sandra are on the right. Deb's wearing the gray sweater and Sandra is wearing the brown. Thanks you two for putting this party together.

Yesterday David and I loaded up the dogs and went over to Edgar's Acres to check up on the new house. It was great. We found SUN and it was warm.
I was walking around the house looking through the windows. The carpet guy was there so he opened up one of the doors so I could peek inside (my feet were way too muddy to even think about going in). This is the view from the sun room looking toward my kitchen.

This is the sun room.

The mountains of dirt have been regraded back around the house so I could finally see what the front looks like.

I can hardly wait to get started on the front porch and flower beds.

This is the view from the side of the master beadroom. We will be putting a deck in this area, and it will wrap around the back, to the other side of the sun room.

The covered porch will be on this side.

The house is really shaping up nicely, which is more than we can say for the garden right now.

Wednesday night we had a rain and wind storm, and yes, we did get some damage. We have been very fortunate in the past, and we really did get off easy considering the flood damage many suffered from this storm.

We have to get a new roof. Stuff is now out of the closet in the office so they can access the attic, and

out of my closet since this is where I discovered the leak. Right now I have shoes and clothes all over the place. I went to put on a pair of shoes on Friday and could only locate one, so am wearing basically the same pair I've been wearing for the past few days.


We forgot to close the deck umbrella so now we are left with this. David is working on a plan to use this frame for pole beans next year.

Well, the sun is out and the dogs are in, so we are heading out to play.

TTFN


Sue

OPERATION HOLIDAY STOCKINGS 2008 UPDATE

God has spoken and told me to calm down. The moms, sisters, aunts, grandmas, and friends have OHS 2008 under control. So much for my moment of panic. (I have one each year.) We are up to 526 stockings. I remembered I had a box of stockings left over which was a big help. We have raised $625.00 for postage and goodies. We will be sending stockings to 845 soldiers. Their holidays will be a bit brighter because of our efforts.

Nancy has been busy sewing again this year.

Cathi knit these beautiful stockings. Cathi's son has been deployed twice and is always a big supporter of this project.

Sue sent in these stockings. Her son is currently deployed to Iraq so these will be in his box. Aren't they beautiful? Certainly knit with love for her son and his fellow soldiers.

We have a sorority at Puget Sound University decorating stockings this year. This is their first installment. Thank you ladies.

Deb knit these stockings. I love the gold and silver bells sewn on the stockings knit in the camo yarn. What a classy touch.

Mel and her kids decorated these stockings for the troops. They each included a small gift in the stockings they did. These are precious.

The stuffing party at work is tomorrow so David and I stopped and picked up a HUGE BUNCH OF CANDY for the stockings. I took in about 220 stockings so I hope we will have enough of everything.,

Thanks to all of you for your support and participation. I'll try to do a better job of updating everyone. I'm not sure why I am so busy, but I am. Must be old age.

TTFN

Sue