The Price of Silence

I was inspired by a video I watched last night. This video is called "The Price of Silence."




You can find out more...the lyrics and who was involved with the project HERE.

Cherish Every Moment of Your Life

Mary Anne was a friend of mine.

I use to worked for the coffee house in Durand, Hearth & Garden. I served Mary Anne her coffee (with 4 extra shots of espresso!) - she was one the "regulars." She'd walk in...bringing her own coffee mug. I'd rinse and wash it for her and fill it full of her favorite - Irish Nut coffee. I went to Hearth and Garden yesterday and reminisced about Mary Anne with one of the owners, Debbie Lindroth. I had a "Irish Nut" without the extra shots along with some apple bars. Debbie and I had a good talk.

I miss you, Mary Anne - you could always make me laugh.

God bless you and may He comfort your family.

MARY ANNE DRAGO

Age: 56 - Loves Park, Illinois

Taken from the Rockford Register Star

Mary Anne Drago, 56, of Loves Park died Monday, Nov. 16, 2009, after an automobile accident. She was born Oct. 24, 1953, in Rockford to Jasper and Frances Drago. She lived most of her life in Rockford. She was employed as a special education school teacher by Durand School District. She was a member of St. Anthony Church. Mary Anne attended Muldoon High School before transferring to Boylan High School, where she graduated in 1971. She received her bachelor's degree in special education from Clarke College in 1975; she then received her master's degree in educational/psychological studies from the University of Colorado in 1988. Her teaching career brought her to Wisconsin, Colorado and finally to the Durand district here in Illinois. She was a very dedicated teacher who touched many students, faculty and parents. She loved the Beatles, Neil Young and the Blues. She took pride in her Italian heritage and her family. Mary Anne was a devoted daughter and beloved friend to all who knew her. Survivors include father, Jasper Drago; and many cousins. She was predeceased by her mom, Frances; and her beloved dog, Hershey.

Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, in St. Anthony Catholic Church, with visitation from 9 a.m. to service time; the Franciscan Friars will officiate. Interment in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation also from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, in Gasparini and Oliveri Funeral Home, 707 Marchesano Drive.

Condolences may be sent online at gasparinioliverifuneral.net

'til next time,

Con

I've Been So Busy...

I know I haven't posted for a while but I have been busy with so many things...baby showers, friends, family, and most importantly my grandson Andrew and ....planning a vacation.

I'm not to please about vacation this year because my grandson will have his 1st birthday while we are gone!!! If the weather gets bad on our return home I'll miss his first Christmas too.

I like being a grandma...I call him my little buddy. He has me tied right around his little pinkie.

I bought a "Photo Cube Studio Light Tent Box Kit" so I can take better photos of my cards... I haven't tried it yet. I guess I'm a little afraid of it. When I get back from vacation I'll make it a priority to learn how to use it so I can take some pictures of some of the cards and scrapbook pages I have done. I would like to share with you some things I've done. But for now I'm letting my friend Jeannie try it out...her blog is Kindred Spirits Kards. Jeannie is more technically advanced than me.

My husband and I have taken his dad on vacation for the last two years during the month of December. We try to hide from the snow. LOL. My husband hates cold, as well as shoveling. I take pity on them and plan a whole month of travel. We drive about 4000 miles! I get the back seat and my father-in-law the front. This way I can do what ever I need to do to stay sane...I sleep a lot while they enjoy each others company. I take lots of pictures while on vacation. I still need to develop some from last year! The guys say I take too many pictures while I say, "You can never take enough!"

Our first stop is Branson, MO. We have never been to Branson before and I hear that the Christmas lights are fantastic. We booked a couple of shows too. After Branson we are going further south...Nacogdoches, TX (pronounced /ˌnækəˈdoʊtʃɪs/). Eventually we will end up at South Padre Island, TX for a week. This will be our 3rd holiday there with Dad. Jim and I have been there 5 years in a row this year! I think we are slowly becoming Winter Texans!!! Another "new" for us will be Grand Canyon Skywalk. Dad and Jim really want to see this engineering feet. On our way home we will stop at Lincoln, NE to visit Jim's two nephews and their family. We will be at Tombstone, AZ too...another yearly pilgrimage. We enjoy running into local Celebrity artist, Mark Brown. We've purchased three of his pieces that were absolutely amazing - he is an extremely generous person. My husband, Jim, loves the ribs at the Crystal Palace Saloon - you can also find Mark selling his pictures here. Tombstone is a very friendly place to visit.

NEW BLOG ALERT...

The Crackerbox Palace Rubber Stamps is blogging...go Vicky and John!!! Good luck and enjoy your blogging time. Thank you for asking me for input on your blogging journey. I pray you will get a lot of hits on your new site...XOXO.

The last time I was at the Crackerbox Palace store I took some pictures. I'm going to bring it to the store every time [if I can remember] so I can take pictures of their card samples...always looking for ideas;)

For all of you following my blog, Thanks for stopping by! -and please visit the Crackerbox Palace site too. Tell them Connie sent you...

May we always remember to support

our men and women in the military!

I went to a great Veteran's Day service in Hanover, IL. They hold it every year on September 11 at 11:00 a.m. My father-in-law belongs to the VFW post there. The vets there are very active in the community. They have a wonderful fundraiser comming up this Friday...all you can eat catfish! and my whole fammily is going. Yummy!!! I need to mention some sites that support our military. Take some time out and "thank" a military person and veteran.

Adopt a Platoon

Soldiers' Angels

Adopt a Soldier

Operation Write Home

(formally known as "Cards for Heroes")

'til next time,

Con.

Sydney Ives Ivestrong Update

Sunday, November 8, 2009 12:22 AM, CST

November 7, 2009, Sydney went home to be with Jesus. Her passing was extremely peaceful. Thank you for your prayers.

Matthew 5:4

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."

Please go to Sydney's Journal Page to read about her and her family. Her journal has been updated to include thoughts from her family after her passing. They are truely beautiful people.

'till next time,

Con

Sydney Deann Ives

Dear friends,

Please except my request for your prayers, cards and/or donations for this sweet child. Sydney doesn't have much time left. She is dying from cancer.

I am including a link HERE for you to read. This link tells her story, her pictures, and her updates.

Thank You,

Connie